Comparison of convective and radiant heating system for office building with transparent facade system

Abstract

Today’s architectural decisions for office buildings often include open plan of the space and transparent facade systems. It creates a lot of challenges for HVAC-engineers while designing the heating system. The most common approach nowadays is in-floor convectors near external walls around the perimeter. But it has certain disadvantages in terms of indoor climate conditions. Another possibility is to design a system with radiant ceiling panels which are widely applied nowadays in large halls, but not so widely in office buildings with normal heights.

The aim of this bachelor’s thesis is to find out which one of two of heating systems for office building with transparent facade system is preferable from the point of their advantages and disadvantages, created indoor climate conditions and cost-efficiency.

The methods used in the paper are the following. Firstly, literature research of the information about modern transparent facade system technologies, radiant and convective heating principles, their pros and cons. Then designing the simple building model and heat losses calculations for one typical floor, preliminary design of heating systems with in-floor convectors and radiant ceiling panels. Finally, cost calculations for each system, analysis of all information obtained and making a conclusion.