This research addresses the viability of two solar combisystems, which use solar energy
to provide both space heating and domestic hot water, for several single family homes
in Ontario.
Hot water use data from seventy three homes were refined to create twelve different
draw profiles representing a variety of consumers. These profiles were divided up based
on the magnitude of daily draw and the preferred time of use. It was determined that
time of use had little to no effect on performance. However, the magnitude of a daily
draw was seen to have a significant effect on the final energy
use of a home.
Two different combisystem plant configurations, a single tank system and a two
tank system, were simulated. It was determined that the single tank system offered
superior performance. Unless systems were sized to the upper limits tested here, a
solar fraction of 50% could not be achieved.