Analysis on the thermal performance of low-temperature radiant floor coupled with intermittent stratum ventilation (LTR-ISV) for space heating

With increasing energy use and outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases (such as COVID-19) in buildings, there is a growing interest in creating healthy and energy-efficient indoor environments. A novel heating system named low-temperature radiant floor coupled with intermittent stratum ventilation (LTR-ISV) is proposed in this study. Thermal performance, indoor air quality, energy and exergy performance were investigated and compared with conventional radiant floor heating (CRFH) and conventional radiant floor heating with mixing ventilation (CRFH + MV). The results indicated that LTR-ISV had a more uniform operative temperature distribution and overall thermal sensation, and air mixing was enhanced without generating additional draft sensation. Compared with CRFH and CRFH + MV, the indoor CO(2) concentration in LTR-ISV can be reduced by 1355 ppm and 400 ppm, respectively. Airborne transmission risk can also be reduced by 5.35 times. The coefficient of performance for CRFH, CRFH + MV, and LTR-ISV during working hours was 4.2, 2.5, and 3.4, respectively. The lower value of LTR-ISV was due to the high energy usage of the primary air handing unit. In the non-working hours, LTR-ISV was 0.6 and 1.3 higher compared to CRFH and CRFH + MV, respectively. The exergy efficiency of LTR-ISV, CRFH, and CRFH + MV was 81.77 %, 76.43 %, and 64.71 %, respectively. Therefore, the LTR-ISV system can meet the requirements of high indoor air quality and thermal comfort and provides a reference for the energy-saving use of low-grade energy in space heating.