Experimental Evaluation of Radiant Heating Ceiling Systems Based on Thermal Comfort Criteria

M. Reza Safizadeh, Marcel Schweiker and Andreas Wagner
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M. Reza Safizadeh: Building Science Group (fbta), Institute for Building Design and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Marcel Schweiker: Building Science Group (fbta), Institute for Building Design and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Andreas Wagner: Building Science Group (fbta), Institute for Building Design and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-21

Abstract: Low-temperature radiant heating systems can be considered as suitable candidates for the refurbishment of old heating systems. These systems are proven to save energy, however, their drawback is their impact on the creation of radiant temperature asymmetry and local thermal discomfort, especially in old buildings where the temperatures of surfaces (for example external walls with a low level of insulation and large windows) are low. This study aims to evaluate the potential application of low-temperature radiant ceiling heating systems (28–38 °C) in old and energy-renovated buildings, based on subjective experiments and thermal comfort criteria such as thermal sensation, comfort, satisfaction, and sensation asymmetry votes. Later, in the Discussion section, the guideline for the radiant temperature asymmetry for the warm ceiling presented in ASHRAE Standard-55 is corrected for relatively low air temperatures and different surface temperatures corresponding to “about neutral” conditions for winter clothing. Findings of this research show that the radiant ceiling heating system operating at low temperatures (33–38 °C) can provide fairly neutral thermal sensation and satisfactory comfort at the majority of body-parts, if the building envelope satisfies advanced building energy-efficiency regulations. Additionally, the experimental analyses imply that limitation of 5% suggested by ASHRAE-55 for the percentage of dissatisfied occupants feeling uncomfortable due to overhead radiation can be elevated to 10%.

Keywords: radiant heating ceiling; radiant temperature asymmetry; thermal dissatisfaction; thermal comfort; subjective experiments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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