Journal of Telecommunication Network (Jurnal Jaringan Telekomunikasi) Vol. 13, No.

2 (2023)

Automated Water Heating Management with

Internet of Things
Hera Susanti1, Afrizal Abdi Musyafiq2, Hendi Purnata 3, Novita Asma Ilahi 4, Saepul Rahmat 5
1,2,3,4,5
Study Program of Electronics Engineering
Department of Electronics Engineering, State Polytechnic of Cilacap, Cilacap, 53212, Indonesia
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract—IoT devices can range from smart home devices such as thermostats and security systems to industrial control systems used
in manufacturing and other industries. One focus of the IoT-based monitoring and control concept is monitoring and controlling water
heaters based on IoT technology to support the creation of a smart home. The purpose of this research is to create a system that can
control and monitor water heaters remotely using the Android Studio application so that the water temperature in the heater can be
ensured for safety, comfort, reliability, and energy efficiency. The system is designed using temperature sensors and water flow sensors,
and then the data is processed with the NodeMCU microcontroller and then sent to the Firebase website to be displayed on the
application. The application built can set a large amount of water and heat it to the desired temperature before sending it to Firebase
and then to NodeMCU. The result of this research is an application that is able to control and monitor a water heater with an average
measurement difference of 0.38 liters and an average error percentage of 7.11% The relay control system in the application has an
average delay time of 3.6 seconds.
Keywords—Water heater, NodeMCU, smart home, temperature sensor, energy efficiency.

I. INTRODUCTION network reliability, and real-time control [10]. The simple

solution of this research is to help users, especially for the
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly growing technology elderly or children when they are going to use a water heater
today because it promises to revolutionize the way people live because it is very dangerous if the user does not know the
and work by connecting everyday devices and objects to the temperature of the water to be used.
internet [1]. IoT devices can range from smart home devices A survey stated that a hybrid water heating system needs to
such as thermostats and security systems to industrial control be implemented to efficiently use energy in water heaters [11].
systems used in manufacturing and other industries [2]. One of Energy use needs to be planned in the long term so that the
the main benefits of IoT is the ability to remotely monitor and supply of electrical energy is maintained [12]. One way to plan
control these devices, thereby enabling increased efficiency, energy use is to utilize IoT technology on household devices.
automation, and data collection. With the IoT, household appliances can be monitored and
In recent years, IoT has become an increasingly important controlled so that energy efficiency can be achieved. Thus, the
technology in the field of home automation because it can research objective to be achieved is to build an IoT-based water
monitor energy consumption and control energy performance heater monitor and control to increase the efficiency and
[2]. The use of IoT in smart home development is increasingly convenience of managing hot water in a household or
in demand. The presented studies focus mainly on energy commercial environment.
management through the control of electrical units [3-7]. The The IoT-based water heater monitor, and control system
results shown are also very interesting and are increasingly allows users to remotely monitor, adjust the temperature, and
being used in everyday life. With the existence of the IoT, it operate the water heater using a smartphone application. This
allows for remote monitoring and control of various household means users can turn the water heater on and off, change the
devices [8]. One area that will greatly benefit from IoT temperature, and monitor usage from anywhere with an
technology is water heating, as it can help optimize energy use internet connection. In addition, IoT water heater control and
and ensure that hot water is available when needed. monitoring systems can increase energy efficiency by allowing
In this paper, research focuses on the concept of monitoring users to set schedules or adjust temperatures based on usage
and control based on IoT, namely monitoring, and controlling patterns. This can assist in reducing energy waste and lowering
water heaters based on IoT technology to support the creation monthly electricity bills. Overall, the main goal of creating an
of a smart home by exploring the benefits, challenges, and IoT-based water heater monitor and control system in this
current state of technology. The benefits of a water heater study is to provide users with greater convenience and control
monitor, and control system include increased energy over the use of hot water they need while helping to save
efficiency, cost savings, and convenience [9]. Technical energy and reduce costs [13].
challenges regarding designing reliable and secure IoT-based
water heating systems, including data privacy and security,

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II. METHOD sensor DS18B20 to read the temperature value of heated water,
NodeMCU, namely the microcontroller to regulate the
Methodological research is a systematic process that is used components on the device, Relay four channels, with the switch
to design, create, collect, and analyse data to achieve goals and acting as a contact to power the DC water pump and water
solve problems. The research method for building an IoT-based heater. A buzzer will sound if the flowing water is too hot, a
water heater monitoring and control system is shown in Fig. 1. servo motor will rotate the Water Heater valve, a DC water
pump will pump water from the bucket to the Water Heater,
and the Water Heater will heat the water that flows from the
pump.

Figure 1. Water heaters monitor and control system research methods

The first stage is identifying the problems to be solved by Figure 2. Block diagram of an IoT-based water heater monitoring and control
system
the system and collecting tools and materials to design and
build an IoT-based water heater monitoring and control system.
The second stage is the study of literature involving technology
and existing solutions related to the problem to be solved. This
stage can be completed by reviewing scientific papers or patent
applications. Designing system architecture, components, and
interfaces is the third stage of system design. The system to be
built consists of a sensor to measure water temperature, a
microcontroller to process data, and a cloud-based platform for
remote monitoring and control. The fourth stage of system
development involves creating a system based on the design
carried out in the previous stages. selection and integration of
sensors, microcontrollers, and cloud platforms, and
programming systems to meet system requirements. The fifth
stage of testing and evaluation involves system testing to
ensure that the system meets the requirements and functions as
expected.
A. Block Diagrams
Block diagrams were used to explain how the system
worked. The IoT-based water heater monitoring and control
system block diagram is shown in Fig. 2. The components used
are 1 unit water heater, 1 unit NodeMCU ESP8266, 1 unit 12V
5A power supply, 1 unit 4 channel relay module, 1 unit step Figure 3. NodeMCU ESP8266 Receiver System Flowchart to Android
down module, 1 unit DS18B20 temperature sensor, 1 unit B. Android Application System Design
water flow sensor, 1 DC water pump 12V, 1 piece iron pipe,
PVC pipe to taste, 2 buckets, 1 panel box, 1 regulator, wooden 1) Receiver System for Android
boards to taste, and 1 water faucet. In designing this system, a system for receiving data from
Based on Fig. 2, there is a component function consisting of monitoring water temperature and water flow was created on
a power supply as a voltage source for each system component, the Android application. Fig. 3 shows how the receiver system
Stepdown module to convert 12 v voltage to 5 v, sensor YF- works from the NodeMCU ESP8266 to Android, which is
201 to calculate the amount of water flow in units of liters, explained via a flowchart.

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The first step is to initialize the NodeMCU ESP8266, control and ensure the water heater operates efficiently and
specifically with the temperature sensor reading and water flow effectively. In water heaters, servo motors can be used to
sent via the Wi-Fi network intermediary on the NodeMCU control the mixing of hot and cold water to reach the desired
ESP8266.The next step is to check the WiFi network temperature. The servo motor is connected to a mixing valve,
connection process on the NodeMCU ESP8266. Then, if the which regulates the flow of hot and cold water into the water
Wi-Fi network is connected, NodeMCU ESP8266 will retrieve heater tank. Transmitter system flowchart Servo control in the
data from the Firebase website; if not, then NodeMCU Android application is described in Fig. 5.
ESP8266 will initialize it again. The data taken from the
Firebase data then displays the sensor reading results in real
time on the Android application in the form of a numeric value.
2) Android Relay Control Receiver and Transmitter
System
A receiver and transmitter system were created during the
design of this system to relay control on the Android
application. The relay control system is used to turn on or turn
off the water heater and also the water pump, which works
according to sensor output. Fig. 4 shows how the receiver and
transmitter system work for relay control, which is explained
through a flowchart.
Start

WIFI initiation connected

Water Heater M onitoring and

Control D isplay on Android

Input Water Temperature and

Volume

Water Heater On, Active

water pump

Hot water comes out throug h

the output hose
Figure 5. Android servo control transmitter system

The first step, according to the flowchart in Fig. 5, is to test

End the Wi-Fi connectivity on the NodeMCU ESP8266.The system
will open the Application Monitoring and Control view if the
Figure 4. Android relay control receiver and transmitter system Wi-Fi network is connected. Then rotate the servo 1 slider a
certain degree, and then the fire valve will rotate according to
The first step is for the system to check Wi-Fi connectivity
the degree input in the application. Turn the Servo 2 slider to a
on the NodeMCU ESP8266. If the Wi-Fi network is connected,
certain degree, and then the water valve will rotate according
the system will enter the Android Studio application's
to the degree input in the application.
monitoring and control view. The next step is for the user to
provide input for the temperature and amount of water, then 4) Electrical system design
click the update button and click the ON button so that the The design of the electrical system aims to realize the
water heater and water pump are active. After that, hot water working principles of the Internet of Things-based water heater
comes out through the output hose. monitoring and control tool. In the mechanical drawing of the
3) Transmitter System Android Servo Control tool, there is a water heater on the front, then there are two
buckets that are used as a bucket for cold water and a bucket
In designing this system, a transmitter system was created
for heated water, and inside the cold-water bucket there is a
for servo control on an Android application. Servo motors in
water pump that functions to pump water from the bucket up.
water heaters help provide accurate and consistent temperature

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29.6 oC. If the final value of the measured temperature test on

the temperature sensor is 41 oC, then the temperature value on
the measuring instrument thermometer at 41.6 oC.
TABLE I
TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND THERMOMETER TESTING

Temperature Digital Percentage of

No.
Sensor ( o C) Thermometer Errors
1 28,25 29,6 4.45 %
2 32,25 33,1 2.56 %
3 33,25 33,9 1.91 %
4 34.5 35 1.42 %
5 41 41.6 1.44 %
Average 2.35 %

The biggest difference in temperature measurement on the

sensor and thermometer measuring device is obtained at a
temperature value of 28.25 oC which is equal to 1.35 oC or
equivalent to 4.45 % percentage error, then the difference in
temperature nails is followed by 32, 25 oC is 0.85 oC or 2.56%
and 33.25 oC is 0.65 oC or 1.91%. the greater the temperature
value measured on the temperature sensor, the greater the
temperature value measured on the thermometer measuring
Figure 6. Tool mechanical design instrument, and vice versa. this shows that the temperature
value measured on the temperature sensor is directly
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION proportional to the temperature value measured on the
thermometer measuring instrument. The difference in
The IoT system was successfully implemented to monitor temperature values between the temperature sensor and the
and control the water heater. The system consists of thermometer measuring instrument occurs due to user error;
temperature sensors, water discharge sensors, microcontrollers, calibration level; and the quality of the sensors used.
and relays, all of which are connected to the firebase platform. From the results of the test and calculation of the
Temperature sensors continuously monitor water temperature comparison of these measurements it can be said that the
and send data to Firebase in real-time. The microcontroller temperature reading is almost the same as the reading using a
receives commands from firebase and activates a relay to turn thermometer used as a comparison. Then testing the system and
on or turn off the water heater as needed to maintain the desired temperature accuracy is also carried out to find out how precise
temperature. the value is obtained between the sensor value and the
The system has been tested, and the results show that the temperature value input from the Android application. This test
water temperature is maintained accurately within the desired is carried out by entering the same water input in each test,
range. Temperature data is also consistently transmitted to namely 5 L, and different temperature inputs to get varying
Firebase and can be accessed through the Android application. reading values.
The reliability of the monitoring and control system on the TABLE II
SYSTEM TESTING AND TEMPERATURE ACCURACY
water heater can be tested through the following tests:
A. Temperature sensor testing Input Water
Sensor Difference Percentage
No. Temperature Input
Testing the DS18B20 temperature sensor aims to determine Readings Reading of Errors
( o C) (L)
the value of the water temperature released by the water heater. 1 38 5 36.75 1.25 3.2 %
The testing procedure is carried out by displaying the results of 2 40 5 37.5 2,5 6.25 %
3 42 5 38.75 3,25 6.7 %
reading values on the serial monitor of the NodeMCU 4 45 5 42.25 2.25 5%
ESP8266 and the android application. The following is a 5 50 5 46.5 3,5 7%
picture of the testing process, and the temperature sensor data Average 5.38 %
retrieval table can be seen in the Table 1.
Based on the data obtained, it can be seen that the difference Based on the data obtained, it can be seen that the difference
in temperature readings between the thermometer measuring in temperature readings between the thermometer measuring
instrument and the sensor is quite large, with the highest error instrument and the sensor is quite large with an average error
value of around 4.45% and an average error value of 2.35%. proportion value of 5.3 8%, the highest error value is around
can be seen in the table I, if the initial value of the measured 7.7 % and the lowest value is around 3.2%. can be seen in Table
temperature test on the temperature sensor is 28.25 oC, the II, if the initial value of the measured temperature test on the
temperature value on the thermometer measuring instrument is thermometer measuring instrument is 38 oC, then the

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temperature value on the temperature sensor is 36.75 oC. If the Based on the data obtained, it can be seen that the difference
final value of the temperature test measured on the in input water volume readings between the volume meter and
thermometer measuring instrument is 50 oC, then the the sensor is quite large with an average error proportion value
temperature value on the sensor is 46.5 oC. The difference in the of 7.11%, the highest error value is around 13% and the lowest
largest temperature measurement is on a thermometer value is around 4.59%. can be seen in table III, if the initial
measuring instrument and the sensor is obtained at a value of measuring the input water volume on the measuring
temperature value of 50 oC which is 3.5 oC or equivalent to a 7 % instrument is 3 L, then the air volume value on the sensor is
proportion of error, then the difference in nail temperature is 3.176 L. If the final value of the temperature test measured on
followed by 42 oC of 3.25 oC or 6.7 % and 40 oC is 2.5 oC or the measuring instrument is 7 L, then the air volume value at
6.25 %. the greater the temperature value measured on the sensor is 7.43 L. The largest difference in measurement of the
temperature sensor, the greater the temperature value measured volume of input water on the measuring instrument and sensor
on the thermometer measuring instrument, and vice versa. this is obtained at a value of 5 L, which is 5.752 L or equivalent to
shows that the temperature value measured at the sensor 13% of the proportion of error, then the difference in the
temperature is directly proportional to the temperature value volume of input water is followed by 4 L of 4.286 L or 6 .67%
measured on the thermometer measuring instrument. and 7 L is 7.43 L or 5.78%. the greater the input water volume
Differences in temperature values between the temperature value measured on the sensor, the greater the input water
sensor and the measuring instrument thermometer occur due to volume value measured on the measuring instrument, and vice
user error; calibration level; and the quality of the sensors used. versa. this shows that the value of the input water volume
Based on the measurement data above, we get a comparison measured on the sensor is directly proportional to the value
of the readings between the temperature value input from the measured on the measuring instrument. The difference in the
application and the reading value from the temperature sensor. value of the input water volume between the sensor and
The difference in reading values produced is quite large, with measuring instrument occurs due to user error; calibration level;
the highest reading error percentage of 7 % and an average and the quality of the sensors used.
error percentage of 5.38 %. The reason for the large difference Based on the resulting measurement data, we get a
in reading the existing values is due to the long delay in sending comparison of the readings between the value of the amount of
the off-relay command from the application to NodeMCU, so water input through the application and the value of the water
that when the temperature value input from the application is flow sensor. The difference in reading the resulting value is
met, the water heater relay is a little late to turn off and causes quite large, with the highest reading error percentage of 13%
the water heater to turn off late. (there is an error in the calibration, or the sensor cannot work
properly) and an average error percentage of 7.11%. The large
B. Water Flow Sensor Testing
difference in value obtained is caused by the delay in sending
Testing the Water Flow sensor aims to determine the volume data from the website to NodeMCU. Also, when the water
of water released by the Water Heater, as well as the precision input value in the android application has been fulfilled and the
level of the sensor, whether the volume of water input via a Water Heater is off, the remaining water from the Water Heater
smartphone is the same as the volume of water released by the flows back from above to the bucket through the pipe, and the
Water Heater, and what the difference in the resulting values is. water flow sensor causes the sensor to recalculate the
The following is the process of testing and retrieving water remaining water flow so that the reading of the sensor value
flow sensor data when heating water. goes up.
TABLE III
SYSTEM TESTING AND WATER FLOW SENSOR ACCURACY
Water Water volume is
No. Percentage Error (%)
Input(L) obtained (L)
1 3 3,176 5.54 %
2 4 4,286 6.67 %
3 5 5,752 13 %
4 6 6,289 4.59 %
5 7 7,430 5.78 %
Average 7.11 %

C. Android Studio application testing

Android application testing aims to determine whether the
application can function properly or not. Testing this android
application includes testing the relay control system, servo
motor, and monitoring system for temperature and water flow
sensors.
1) Control system testing
This test aims to determine the response of the relay using
the Android Studio application that has been installed on the
Figure 7. Comparison of temperature measurements smartphone. In this test, the android application is used to

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control the water heater relay and servo motors via a Wi-Fi in the image below. The results of this study demonstrate the
network to send data commands. Pictures of the testing process feasibility of using IoT technology to monitor and control
can be seen below: water heaters. The system was able to accurately maintain
water temperature within the desired range, and real-time data
transmission and accessibility via a mobile app were found to
be convenient and useful features.

Figure 8. Water heater control testing

Test results for comparison of responses based on the speed

of data transmission can be seen in Table 4:
Figure 9. Monitoring display
TABLE IV
RELAY CONTROL SYSTEM TEST RESULTS Compared with traditional water heater control systems, IoT
systems offer several advantages, such as increased accuracy,
Control Ping Condition Delays real-time monitoring, and remote control. These features can
3ms ON 3 sec be particularly useful for households where several people have
3ms OFF 4 sec different hot water temperature preferences or for commercial
Water Heater
2ms ON 3 sec
Relays
3ms OFF 5 sec settings where hot water usage needs to be monitored and
2ms ON 3 sec controlled for energy efficiency.
Average 3.6 seconds
IV. CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the control tests above, it can be
concluded that the control system can respond well if the Based on the objectives that have been determined, a
network is good and smooth, but if the connectivity is slow, it conclusion with the Internet of Things-based water heater
will affect data transmission, resulting in a delay. The above monitoring and control tool that has been implemented, the
results show that if the ping test is 2 ms, the control system can sensor on the tool can function properly even though some
work in 3 seconds; if the ping is 3 ms, the data transmission readings are far away. The monitoring system implemented on
will be slightly slower, namely 4-5 seconds. As long as the the Firebase server has been shown to be able to display sensor
device is connected to a Wi-Fi network, this control system can readings in real time with a slight delay; the delay in sending
be accessed from anywhere and at any time. data is also influenced by network conditions. The temperature
sensor is the input into the NodeMCU, which will provide
2) Monitoring System Testing output to the relay, where the relay is the main control, namely
This test is carried out to determine the value displayed as an actuator that will turn on and turn off the water heater.
through the Android application. These values include When heating water, the average percentage of error in
temperature sensor readings and water flow sensor readings. temperature sensor measurements and thermometers is 2.35%.
The following is the display result on the Android system for Knowing the difference between the value of the input water
sensor measurements in real time. The test results can be seen from the application and the value of the amount of water

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