Abstract
This paper presents the investigation of a local heating system consisting of three heating mats incorporated within a sedentary workplace. Thermal comfort and individual power settings for the heating mats were studied in experiments with 41 human subjects. Experiments were performed in a climate chamber at two operative temperatures: 16 and 18 °C. Results showed that local heating systems improved occupants’ comfort and were able to create acceptable thermal conditions under both temperatures. The power settings identified were used to study the applicability of heating mats in an industrial hall. Multi-variant analysis of energy consumption for heating was carried out using an ESP-r (Environmental Systems Performance–Research) simulation program. The analysis results demonstrate that in some cases, the installation of local heating mats in industrial halls may reduce energy usage compared to having to heat the entire hall. However, the benefits depend on numerous parameters. Local heating is most advantageous when installed in halls with a small number of workstations, small internal heat gains, and low-efficiency central heating systems. In reality for the satisfactory implementation of local heating systems for a particular application, it is advised to perform analysis for the specific local conditions. In order to improve the effectiveness of local heating systems, an advanced heating control strategy should be considered.
Highlights
Half of the EU’s energy consumption is used for heating and cooling purposes in buildings and industry
A decrease in thermal sensation was observed by the subjects, which was associated with a gradual decrease in the power of the heating mats
The local heating system consisting of three heating mats improved the comfort of the occupants and was able to create acceptable thermal conditions under an operative temperature as low as
Summary
Half of the EU’s energy consumption is used for heating and cooling purposes in buildings and industry. 70.6% of energy consumption is used to heat space, and in industrial process heating, 26.7% for lighting and electrical processes, such as machine motors, and 2.7% for cooling [1]. Systems to maintain comfortable conditions around workstations [2]. Most local heating systems provide occupants with the ability to control these systems individually, allowing for individual differences between people and achieving the preferred conditions at each workstation. The number of studies on the use of local heating systems is much smaller than that of other local systems, i.e., local ventilation and local cooling [3,4,5,6]. Research to date on local heating systems has mainly involved solutions, such as radiant heating panels, heated chairs, and local hand and foot warmers
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