A simulation study on the heating characteristics of residential buildings using intermittent heating in Hot-Summer/Cold-Winter areas of China

Abstract

Radiant air conditioning system is an important heating method with better thermal comfort, less noise and greater energy-saving potential. However, different intermittent heating modes may significantly impact both the heating efficiency and indoor thermal comfort, which has been neglected in existing studies. Therefore, to obtain optimal intermittent heating modes for achieving higher energy efficiency and better indoor thermal comfort for the residential buildings in Hot Summer and Cold Winter areas, a TRNSYS model of the radiant air conditioning system was developed and validated. The indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption characteristics during the coldest day and entire heating season were simulated and analyzed based on four different intermittent heating modes. The results demonstrated that the supply water temperature of the air source heat pump unit and the radiant terminals stabilized at the set temperature in about 1 h during the start-up stage, and the indoor air temperature stabilized at 24.0 °C after 7.5 h during the shutdown stage. The proportion of time that meets first-level thermal comfort under the four intermittent heating modes was above 90.1% and even higher at over 96.1% when considering the sleeping period. Compared to the continuous heating mode, the four intermittent heating modes saved 22.3%, 25.8%, 40.4% and 48.4% of energy. Overall, the preferred intermittent heating mode for residential buildings with the radiant air conditioning system in Hot Summer and Cold Winter areas was identified as switching on from 7:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 3:00, while switching off from 15:00 to 19:00 and 3:00 to 7:00. This model not only considered the immediate benefits of improved indoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency, but also showed great advantages in developing sustainable construction.