Abstract
A phase change material (PCM) is an energy storage mass with high heat storage performance. In buildings, PCMs can be utilized to save energy in radiant floor heating systems. This study aims to analyze the thermal performance and energy saving potential by the PCM radiant floor heating system based on wet construction method and hot water. For such analysis, EnergyPlus program was used. As for the results, it was found that the proposed system almost maintained the set point of indoor air and a floor surface. Moreover, when a 10 mm PCM was applied, it was possible to save 2.4% of heating energy annually compared to existing buildings. In particular, when a 20–50 mm PCM was applied, it was found that 7.3–15.3% of heating energy was reduced annually. If indoor air temperature exceeds the comfort range of the proposed system, this problem can be solved by adjusting the set point of the floor surface or by increasing the temperature of hot water.
Highlights
Studies on thermal energy storage systems that combine phase change materials (PCMs) with building structures have been actively conducted to reduce the heating energy consumption in buildings [1]
K. et al developed a shape-stabilized PCM (SSPCM) plate to be applied to a radiant floor heating system and proved that this system could maintain the indoor heating temperature in the comfort range through theories and computer simulation [2]
Indoor Air and Floor Surface Temperatures. It was analyzed whether indoor and floor surface temperatures were maintained at the set points on the second stories of the apartment buildings with the existing and PCM radiant floor heating systems
Summary
Studies on thermal energy storage systems that combine phase change materials (PCMs) with building structures have been actively conducted to reduce the heating energy consumption in buildings [1]. K. et al developed a shape-stabilized PCM (SSPCM) plate to be applied to a radiant floor heating system and proved that this system could maintain the indoor heating temperature in the comfort range through theories and computer simulation [2] They introduced a new radiant floor heating system that could perform heating by combining an office floor with an air cavity including an SSPCM plate and supplying air into the office through a floor diffuser. X. et al introduced a PCM floor heating system that could perform cooling and heating by inserting cooling and heating coils and low-temperature and high-temperature PCMs into a floor structure Through simulation, they found that the annual energy consumption could be reduced by approximately 37.9–41.1% using the proposed system [4]. This system had a unique structure in which a Energies 2019, 12, 828; doi:10.3390/en12050828 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
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