LOW-COST FLOW, TEMPERATURE, AND POWER METER FOR WATER HEATERS

Abstract

Energy efficiency in water heating systems is a relevant issue due to the increasing electricity demand and the need for the rational use of resources. In this work, a low-cost prototype was developed for real-time monitoring of flow rate, temperature, voltage and electric current in a water heater, enabling the calculation of the power consumption. The system employs specific sensors (YF-S201, MAX6675 with type-K thermocouple, SCT-013-100 and ZMPT101B) integrated with an Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller with Wi-Fi module, allowing future expansions for remote monitoring. Experimental tests were carried out under real operating conditions, comparing the readings obtained by the prototype with reference instruments. The results showed good agreement between the measurements, demonstrating the reliability of the proposed solution. The prototype proved to be suitable for residential and academic applications, supporting the monitoring of energy consumption, the evaluation of the thermal performance of water heaters and the promotion of awareness regarding efficient use of water and energy.