Woodchips Digital

A 40-year-old wood chip heating system without thermal storage, without any heating controls or controls but with a PV system? Yes, that exists and we will find out in advance whether this is efficient.

Since we are familiar with both electrical and thermal systems, the project began by analyzing the thermal requirements. Calculations were made for storage, predictions and heat losses. A hydraulic diagram then provided information about where in the basement of the old farmhouse the measurements and controls should be taken. Of course, the individual room controls must not be overlooked, because they are what really make heating efficient and, above all, save money when you are away. The entire mass of the building is also used by raising the target temperatures when there is excess energy. This can be in electrical or thermal form. Finally, at the customer's request and for reasons of comfort, the entire PV output is dynamically converted into thermal energy via a 9kW heating insert. The customer thus also heats the domestic hot water with wood or electrical solar energy. The system was perfectly adjusted over a period of one year and is simply changed depending on the season and thus adapted to current needs. For example, 3000l of heating water is not always provided, but only a little less than half in summer. In addition to the heating, several of the local operator's redundant energy meters were also replaced. This leads to lower monthly costs and an improvement in the feeling of energy. This has resulted in real energy management with various forms of energy. The system is now also ready to handle a heat pump or solar thermal energy.