Hot water supply system

Abstract

A hot water supply system includes a hot water supply apparatus, a plurality of supply paths, and an estimation unit. The hot water supply apparatus includes a heating apparatus configured to heat water, a tank configured to store the water heated by the heating apparatus, and a water circuit configured to circulate the water in the tank. Each supply path is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of hot water supply targets and is configured to supply the water from the tank. The estimation unit is configured to predict a total amount of hot water supply demand, based on time-series data of a first index that indicates an amount of heat of water used in each of the plurality of hot water supply targets.

1 . A hot water supply system comprising:
 a hot water supply apparatus including 
 a heating apparatus configured to heat water, 
 a tank configured to store the water heated by the heating apparatus, and 
 a water circuit configured to circulate the water in the tank; 
   a plurality of supply paths, each supply path 
 being coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of hot water supply targets and 
 being configured to supply the water from the tank; and 
   an estimation unit configured to predict a total amount of hot water supply demand, based on time-series data of a first index that indicates an amount of heat of water used in each of the plurality of hot water supply targets.   
     
     
         2 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first learning unit configured to learn the time-series data and the total amount of hot water supply demand in association with each other,   the estimation unit being configured to predict the total amount of hot water supply demand, based on a result of the learning performed by the first learning unit.   
     
     
         3 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the first learning unit is configured to perform the learning through machine learning.   
     
     
         4 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the estimation unit includes an estimation model generated through machine learning to predict, based on the time-series data, the total amount of hot water supply demand, and   the estimation unit is configured to predict the total amount of hot water supply demand by using the estimation model.   
     
     
         5 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 the estimation unit includes an estimation model generated through the machine learning to predict, based on the time-series data, the total amount of hot water supply demand, and   the estimation unit is configured to predict the total amount of hot water supply demand by using the estimation model.   
     
     
         6 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first index includes a temperature and an amount of the water used in each of the plurality of hot water supply targets.   
     
     
         7 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first index includes a temperature of the water used in each of the plurality of hot water supply targets and a pressure of the water in each of the supply paths.   
     
     
         8 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the estimation unit is configured to predict the total amount of hot water supply demand, based on the time-series data and at least one of 
 a number of the hot water supply targets, 
 types of the hot water supply targets, and 
 specifications of faucets of the hot water supply targets. 
   
     
     
         9 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the estimation unit is configured to predict the total amount of hot water supply demand, based on the time-series data for a selected one of the hot water supply targets.   
     
     
         10 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit configured to control an operation of the heating apparatus, based on the total amount of hot water supply demand.   
     
     
         11 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second learning unit configured to learn the total amount of hot water supply demand and an operation state of the heating apparatus in association with each other,   the control unit being configured to control the operation of the heating apparatus, based on a result of the learning performed by the second learning unit.   
     
     
         12 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the second learning unit is configured to perform the learning through machine learning.   
     
     
         13 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 the control unit includes an operation prediction model generated through machine learning to predict, based on the total amount of hot water supply demand, control of the operation of the heating apparatus, and   the control unit is configured to control the operation of the heating apparatus by using the operation prediction model.   
     
     
         14 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 the control unit includes an operation prediction model generated through the machine learning to predict, based on the total amount of hot water supply demand, control of the operation of the heating apparatus, and   the control unit is configured to control the operation of the heating apparatus by using the operation prediction model.   
     
     
         15 . The hot water supply system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the heating apparatus isa heat pump.