Abstract
This study proposes an idea for energy saving in apartment machine rooms. A conventional district heating system is equipped with constant-flow pumps and bypass valves to regulate pump differential pressure. Each family unit is equipped with a constant-flow on/off valve. This leads to excessive hot water circulation and a high return temperature. To reduce energy loss, this study assumes that each family unit is renovated with a heating valve which regulates the return temperature at $35^{\circ}C$. The hot water supply pump is also replaced with a pump with an inverter to vary flow rate. Expected energy savings is then estimated from field test data. According to the results, pump electricity consumption was reduced by 6,100 kWh for a family unit building over about half a year. The supply temperature can also be lowered by $5^{\circ}C$, which can contribute to a production of electricity of 10.3 kWh/ton of hot water.
