Using the thermal energy storage potential of residential homes for ToU rate savings and demand response

The thermal mass of a home (its building envelope and contents) is a source of thermal energy storage (TES) potential. This TES can be utilized for demand-side management or demand response (DR) by utilities and consumers through deliberate control of heater thermostats. Smart thermostats, attached to baseboard heaters, can capture this potential by changing home temperatures based on occupancy, ToU or other pre-programmed schedule, or utility load control signal. Using a four-capacitance model to represent two central-Canadian homes, the potential of smart thermostats are explored for the impact they may have on customer comfort, power consumption and rate savings, and utility demand. It is found that, taking advantage of TES, consumers can receive moderate cost savings with little or no discomfort while utilities can capture peak shaving potential.