Thermal Ceramic Panels and Passive Systems in Mediterranean Housing: Energy Savings and Environmental Impacts

Abstract

This research examines the benefits of designing a living space in a basement, as a method of passive temperature control in summer, combined with thermal ceramic panels (TCP) on some walls. These panels incorporate a capillary system of polypropylene tubes which work with cold water. We studied a detached house on the coast of Alicante, where the moderate temperature of the ground tempered interior conditions of comfort using the flow of air from the basement, significantly reducing energy demand and environmental impacts. This reduction was quantified through simulations using the Design Builder tool, having previously monitored the state of the building, on scenarios of a house without a basement, a house with a basement and an all-air system, and a house with a basement and radiant surfaces, using TCP panels on walls. This latter passive system led to a 10.25% reduction in annual energy demand. When we combined it with the two possible air conditioning systems, comfort achieved using the TCP panel system improved by 45.8% compared to the all air system in the living room on the ground floor and by 17% in the basement living room. In addition, annual energy demand and environmental impacts deriving from the use of the installation decreased by 31.8% with the TCP system.