Feedback Control in Swedish Multi-Family Buildings for Lower Energy Demand and Assured Indoor Temperature—Measurements and Interviews

Abstract

Europe needs to save energy, and lowered indoor temperature is frequently promoted as part of the solution. To facilitate this, heating control systems with feedback from indoor temperature sensors are often required to avoid thermal discomfort and achieve long-term temperature reductions. This article describes a measurement- and interview-based study on feedback control where 107 Swedish multifamily buildings were analysed. The obtained results show that buildings with lowered indoor temperatures had reduced annual heating demand by 4 kWh/m2 and a reduced indoor temperature of 0.4 °C. There were, however, significant individual differences and even buildings with increased indoor temperatures, which harmed the energy savings. Temperature fluctuation was most often significantly reduced, but the impact on heating power demand during cold weather was, on average, only 2%. An interview with different actors indicated higher energy savings, possibly due to their stock’s original room temperature levels. Several interviewees also mentioned other advantages of temperature mapping. Most of the results obtained in this study were in line with several previous investigations. The study’s novelty lies in the large number of investigated buildings with mature commercial heat control technology, including PI-control for adjusting supply temperature, indoor temperature sensors in almost every apartment and a parallel analysis of additional affected parameters.