Underfloor Heating Using Ceramic Thermal Panels and Solar Thermal Panels in Public Buildings in the Mediterranean: Energy Savings and Healthy Indoor Environment

Abstract

Radiant floor air conditioning systems based on capillary tube mats, in addition to offering high comfort standards, generate significant energy savings. They allow the use of renewable energies such as thermal solar panels and combine them with solar cooling systems based on lithium chloride or absorption systems with lithium bromide in summer, cooling water down to 15–16 °C through solar thermal panel energy collection. Thus, in addition to energy savings from the transport of low water flows, annual energy demand is also reduced. This research analyses the application of thermal ceramic panels (TCP)—containing polypropylene (PPR) tube capillary mats—to public buildings in the Spanish Mediterranean. A case study of the Museum of the University of Alicante (MUA) is presented. Water was distributed individually from a split system heat pump inside the building combined with a thermal solar panel system on the roof. The MUA’s annual energy demand was quantified using thermal simulation tools and was monitored during the entire one-year cycle. Simulations were conducted both for the radiant floor system and an all-air conventional convective system, as well as with solar thermal panel applications. The reduction in annual energy demand was 24.91% when TCP panels are used on the floor. This is a considerable value, but lower than others results obtained in Central Europe due to the higher values of humidity. When solar thermal panels are installed on the rooftop the energy savings can increase to 60.70%.