Objective WORK BY CSEA, A CONSORTIUM OF 23 SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ELECTRONIC MANUFACTURERS IN ITALY SHOWED THAT HEATING CONTROL IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS AND SCHOOLS CAN BRING ENERGY SAVINGS OF 20 TO 30 %. IN AN EXISTING APARTMENT BUILDING WITH 14 APARTMENTS, A CONTROL SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED CONSISTING OF A CENTRAL COMPUTER AND 14 LOCAL MICRO-PROCESSORS. THIS SYSTEM REGULATES THE TEMPERATURE IN THE APARTMENTS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES AND THE USERS'REQUIREMENTS. IT LEARNS THE HABITS OF THE USERS AND SWITCHES OFF THE HEATING IN AN APARTMENT WHEN THE USERS ARE NOT PRESENT EVEN WHEN THEY FORGET TO PUT THE HEATING OFF. THIS SYSTEM OF LEARNING WAS VERY EFFICIENT IN REDUCING THE ENERGY USE. ALSO THE OPERATION OF THE BOILER IS OPTIMIZED AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS CHECKED REGULARLY TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE. THIS BROUGHT ENERGY SAVINGS OF ABOUT 20 %; THE PAYBACK TIME FOR NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS IS 6 AND 10 YEARS RESPECTIVELY. FOR A SCHOOL THE PAYBACK TIME WAS FOUND TO BE EVEN SHORTER (2.2 YEARS). THE INSTALLATION OF SUCH A CONTROL SYSTEM COSTS FROM 600 TO 800 ECU PER APARTMENT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS SYSTEM IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SINGLE HOUSES. PROBLEMS AROSE WITH THE HEATING BILLS WHICH WHERE ESTABLISHED WITH HELP OF COMPUTER DATA. OFTEN USERS DID NOT AGREE. THE SYSTEM TURNED OUT TO BE VERY RELIABLE. THE PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIALISATION OF THE SYSTEM ENTITLED "CALDOROBOT" IS MADE BY EASY ITALIA VIA S.QUINTINO 28 I-10127 TORINO. Programme(s) PRE-ENNONUC 2C - Energy research and development programme (EEC), 1979-1983 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Consorzio per lo Sviluppo dell'Elettronica e l'Automazione EU contribution No data Address Via Ventimiglia 201 10127 Torino Italy See on map Total cost No data