System identification and predictive control of a building heating system with multiple boilers

This paper describes model based heating control of a residential building with multiple boilers installed. Linear state space model of a real residential building is derived from test data, and Model Predictive Controller for this model is designed is used to control its temperature. The simulation results are analyzed and compared to that of a conventional (PID) controller. Model predictive controller is found to be superior to PID controller in terms of set point tracking, boiler switching frequency and comfort level.