Duty Cycle of a Radiant Ceiling Heating System under Extremely Cold-Temperature Conditions: A Theoretical Assessment

Abstract

This work focuses on the estimation of a duty cycle of a radiant ceiling heating system with a panel surface temperature of 35 °C and a heat flux of 65 W/m 2 that corresponds to a thermal comfort for sedentary occupants. The results obtained are based on the theoretical heat transfer equations that govern the radiant and natural convection heat exchange mechanisms, and experimental heat transfer coefficients available in the literature. The results of the examined radiant heating system with specific conditions showed that a duty cycle of 6.46 min alternated by 13.36 min in shutting-down position is required to assure an acceptable thermal comfort for the enclosure space occupants. In addition, the study showed that for extremely cold-temperature conditions the heating system requires a daily operating load of about 61.2% which clearly proves the efficiency of these radiant heating systems in terms of energy consumption.