Optimal PI control parameters for accurate underfloor heating temperature control

In low energy buildings, the effect of internal and solar gains on heat balance of rooms is large. As a result, the heating systems, designed assuming steady-state conditions with no heat gains, are over-dimensioned for most of the heating period. This poses a challenge for room-based control systems, especially for thermostatic valves, but also for PI controllers. Using over-dimensioned room units might result in room temperature fluctuations. For finding solutions to this problem by using simulations, correct modelling of the control system together with the room is crucial. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the challenges that occur while matching measured and simulated temperature profiles and test the effect of PI control parameters on the calibrated model control accuracy. The experiments were carried out for the underfloor heating system of a test building. The building was simulated in IDA-ICE software and calibration via minimising root mean square error of energy consumption in GenOpt was carried out. The PI parameters were fit by optimisation with objective to simulate the measured temperatures accurately. The effect of the optimized PI parameters was determined by comparison to IDA-ICE default parameters and parameters from Cohen-Coon method.