If the consumer has a heating installation that delivers a return temperature above the calculated temperature plus 3 degrees (from 2024 0 degrees), they will have to pay extra. The extra cost is 1 % per degree above the threshold. The additional cost can often finance needed improvements in the heating system, potentially providing better comfort in their home. This extra fee has effectively motivated building owners to upgrade their heating systems. The reduction is the top area with the most considerable effect on the overall system. Customer interaction is key Viborg DH Company intends NOT to make their customers pay more. The intention is to develop the heating system, thereby lowering the cost for all customers. Therefore, Viborg DH Com- pany actively approaches customers with the worst delta-T (the highest return temperature) and advises them on mod- ernizing and upgrading their system. The result is that the customers save money, and at the same time, the DH company saves money, which can be trans- formed into lower prices for all customers. The customers who pay more due to the motivation model are not just left hang- ing there, paying more year after year. They are offered help to lower their heating bill by the DH company, which approaches the customers to provide assistance and guidance. The two pictures illustrate the supply- and return temperatures set for all the customers of the DH company. In 2002, many customers needed a very high supply temperature and only
dividually. In Denmark, there are different models of how to do that. The motivation tariff used in Viborg is a model where the supply temperature as a yearly average is used to calculate the goal for the return temperature. The average supply and return temperature can be collected from, e.g., Kamstrup energy me- ters as used in Viborg. Viborg DH Company also works closely with their customers to help them save money, improve com- fort, and thereby add to the substantial saving for the district heating company. They rent out the heat interface unit, so it’s easy moneywise to have an updated one, but that’s another story. Motivation model – effect on the customer The motivation model used in Viborg is straightforward. If you cool the water well, the DH company offers a bonus. If your installation is old and inefficient, you will have to pay extra – a strong incentive to improve your system. Let’s look at three examples. 20,0 25,0 30,0 35,0 40,0 45,0 50,0 55,0 60,0 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 Supply temperature [°C] Motivation tarif Viborg 2022 Returntemperature Returntemperature benefit 1 % per °C Returntemperature cost 1 % per °C X X ex1 ex2 X ex3 Suppose the return temperature from a consumer is at the cal- culated level or up to 3° higher (this zone will be smaller the next year and disappear in 2024). In that case, the consumer pays the standard price for DH - a typical consumer with an average heat installation functioning normally. The customer is within the neutral zone, merely paying the normal price. Money will be saved if the consumer can deliver a lower return temperature. If the annual average return temperature is be- low the calculated return temperature, the consumer will get a 1 % discount per degree below the calculated return. This is an essential saving for some homeowners compared to their overall energy bill. The saving can finance improvements in the heating system and potentially provide better comfort in their home. Tip! The saving area has been divided into two different parts, where the highest reduction is when the supply temperature is below the promised flow temperature by the DH compa- ny. This is done to remove the customers’ focus from whether the supply temperature is consistently above what has been promised and to whether they can heat their homes appropri- ately and simply be a happy customer, as they save even more.
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40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 Supply temperature °C in 2002
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40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 Supply temperature °C in 2019
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