A numerical comparison of different methods for optimizing heating-restart time in intermittently occupied buildings

The article starts with a brief recap of the restart time optimization methods: Athe classical methods, the methods based on fuzzy logic and the methods based Aon the use of a building model. In order to compare these different approaches, Aan intermittent heating controller, which makes it possible to define different Amethods for optimizing heating-restart time, has been developed as part of the ATRNSYS software. Two of the six methods under study are new. These are the Amethod based on fuzzy logic and the method using a two time constant building Amodel. The numerical simulations carried out concern a building of which three rooms are studied. The changes in the various variables are presented in the Acase of the method based on fuzzy logic. Next, the different methods are Acompared according to restart precision, comfort obtained at the beginning of Athe occupancy period and energy consumption over the entire period of Asimulation. (c) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.