Applicability of Radiant Heating-Cooling Ceiling Panels in Residential Buildings in Different Climates of Iran

Abstract

This paper assess the feasibility of using heating-cooling radiant panel in residential buildings in five different climate zones in Iran. This study leverages simulation modeling to evaluate the thermal performance of heating-cooling radiant panels. By defining new indices, applicability limiting factors of the radiant panels, i.e. condensation risk in cooling, and asymmetric radiation discomfort in heating are evaluated and compared in different climatic conditions. The system capacity and setpoints are calculated based on thermal comfort conditions, using PMV index in heating (PMV= -0.5) and cooling (PMV= +0.5) modes. Results of this study indicate that for dryer regions with less risk of condensation the radiant system can help home owners to save around 11.3% on their heating energy and 9.1% on cooling energy use.