Experimental study of a low-cost ceiling cooling system in the north Algerian climate

Abstract

This experimental study aimed to characterize the performance of a new type of radiant ceiling heating/cooling system in terms of thermal comfort and energy savings in a room of a building located in northeastern Algeria. Good insulation was applied to the room located on the ground floor after studying its heat losses and gains. Tests were conducted during the summer period, more precisely in June, to evaluate the thermal conditions of the room during the intermittent periods of operation of the radiant ceiling system. Results showed that the room's ambient temperature decreased by 1.1 °C after 15 min of operating the cooling system during the first day of the experiment and remained below 27.2 °C throughout all the experimental days regardless of the outdoor temperature. The system was highly efficient, did not require daily use, and reduced cooling energy consumption by 89%. Despite the primitive and simple materials and tools used to manufacture the radiant panels (diffusers), the system produced satisfactory results at 38 EU/m2.