Underfloor Heating Using Ceramic Thermal Panels and Solar Thermal Panels in Public Buildings in the Mediterranean: Energy Savings and Healthy Indoor Environment

Abstract

Radiant floor air conditioning systems based on capillary tube mats, in addition to offering high comfort standards, generate significant energy savings. They allow the use of renewable energies such as thermal solar panels and combine them with solar cooling systems based on lithium chloride or absorption systems with lithium bromide in summer, cooling water down to 15–16 °C through solar thermal panel energy collection. Thus, in addition to energy savings from the transport of low water flows, annual energy demand is also reduced. This research analyses the application of thermal ceramic panels (TCP)—containing polypropylene (PPR) tube capillary mats—to public buildings in the Spanish Mediterranean. A case study of the Museum of the University of Alicante (MUA) is presented. Water was distributed individually from a split system heat pump inside the building combined with a thermal solar panel system on the roof. The MUA’s annual energy demand was quantified using thermal simulation tools and was monitored during the entire one-year cycle. Simulations were conducted both for the radiant floor system and an all-air conventional convective system, as well as with solar thermal panel applications. The reduction in annual energy demand was 24.91% when TCP panels are used on the floor. This is a considerable value, but lower than others results obtained in Central Europe due to the higher values of humidity. When solar thermal panels are installed on the rooftop the energy savings can increase to 60.70%.

Estudo de Formulações de Argamassas para Sistemas de Pavimento Radiante com Incorporação de Agregado Siderúrgico

“…Os sistemas de pavimento radiante são uma resposta à necessidade da evolução dos edifícios com maior eficiência energética, promovendo uma distribuição uniforme da temperatura ambiente e oferecendo a oportunidade de aplicar recursos de elevada eficiência energética como, por exemplo, o aproveitamento solar, uma vez que quando instalados em conjunto com os sistemas de pavimento radiante permitem economizar cerca de 60% de energia para o seu funcionamento [3,4].…”

Controlling the Thermal Power of a Wall Heating Panel with Heat Pipes by Changing the Mass Flowrate and Temperature of Supplying Water—Experimental Investigations

“…In Refs. [24][25][26], the capillary tube floor mats were tested, showing the significant annual energy reduction for heating thanks to their thermal characteristics. The heating surface is heated in such devices by micro tubes (capillary) filled with hot water.…”

Influence of the Improvement in Thermal Expectation Levels with Adaptive Setpoint Temperatures on Energy Consumption

“…The combination of energy conservation measures with smart designs will improve the performance of the building stock. However, the main challenges for a more sustainable use of energy in buildings are not just focused on obtaining buildings with better systems [10,11], a better envelope [12][13][14], and an energy self-production [15][16][17], but also on the use of buildings [18,19].…”