Electric storage heaters in building simulation

This paper describes the simulation of electric storage heaters and their controls. A method for modelling manual control, inferred from transformer readings, is described. Use of the dynamic simulation language ESL compiled into a single program with an existing building simulation program, is explained. This provides a powerful and flexible tool for the evaluation and development of storage heaters and controls. Optimisation of storage heater controls has been shown to be a complex process which requires a sophisticated modelling approach. Final choice of the optimal control setting is shown to involve consideration of several parameters.