A comparison of heating and cooling systems having radiant and ventilation systems regarding thermal comfort

Abstract

Thermal comfort is crucial for indoor environmental quality, impacting occupant well-being and intellectual productivity. Despite the widespread use of HVAC technologies in residential and commercial buildings, there is growing awareness of thermal comfort, leading to more studies on this issue. According to international publication indexes nearly 60% of publications belongs to the categories of construction building technology, energy fuels, and civil engineering. It should also be noted that 40% of world energy consumption pertains to construction sector. In this context, radiant cooling and heating systems come forward with their low exergy destruction rates pointing out the potential to be energy-efficient due to their higher and lower operation temperatures. Displacement ventilation, with its low heating and cooling capacity, has not gained widespread preference. However, the increasing consciousness of global warming and energy efficiency, along with the fear of airborne virus contamination, views stand-alone or hybrid applications of radiant heating/cooling and displacement ventilation as potential future solutions. This review study investigates the impact of radiant heating/cooling and ventilation types, mixing, and displacement on thermal comfort performance, focusing on factors affecting thermal comfort in trending radiant cooling and heating applications like radiant walls, ceilings, and floors. The study emphasizes the importance of considering occupant preferences, building characteristics, and energy efficiency when choosing the most suitable heating and cooling systems for different indoor environments. Stand-alone and hybrid applications of radiant heating/cooling and displacement systems can enhance thermal comfort performance, with the exception of specific cases requiring a high thermal load or ventilation rate.