DA-00-08-4 -- Computer Simulation of Hydronic Heating/Cooling System with Embedded Pipes PDF

In many cases the thermal conditioning of buildings is based on an optimization of the building envelope (walls, windows) with regard to insulation and solar transmission, combined with a heating/cooling and/or ventilation system. Instead of using full air conditioning, it may be possible to condition a space with embedded pipes circulating warm or cool water in the concrete slabs between the floors in a multistory building. This will not only provide direct heating or cooling over the surface of the slab but also an additional effect due to the thermal storage capacity of a concrete slab. This paper presents the results of a dynamic computer simulation of such a system. The results showed a significant improvement of thermal comfort by reducing the annual maximum operative temperature by 10 K compared to no cooling. Annually more than 60 kWh/m ² cooling could be obtained.

Units: SI