Solar assisted conditioning of residences with floor heating and ceiling cooling: review and simulation results

Abstract

Solar or solar assisted heating and cooling systems are becoming widespread to reduce CO2 emissions. Efficient radiant space heating and cooling systems can be used to decrease the energy bills and improve occupant thermal comfort in buildings. This study uses the TRNSYS program, for the modeling and simulation of solar assisted radiant heating and cooling of a building with the domestic hot water supply, to examine the effects of various parameters on energy consumption. Calculations are performed for a typical meteorological year (TMY) and ten attached houses in Istanbul, Turkey with hot water and chilled water storages on a six minute time step basis. Graphs showing variations of the room temperature and room relative humidity indicate satisfactory thermal comfort. Daily average COP of the absorption cooling system is improved by suitable choice of the type and size of the collectors. Sizes of the hot water and chilled water tanks are also important parameters; their roles are shown by their effect on the discarded portion of the heat from the collectors and the energy amount supplied by the auxiliary heater. It is concluded that the presented model for a solar assisted radiant heating and cooling of ten attached houses, with the domestic hot water supply, natural gas fueled auxiliary heater, hot water and chilled water storage tanks have considerable advantages; these should be maximized by optimizing the sizes of the solar collectors and storage tanks using a simulation program.