Do Radiant Systems Provide Better Thermal Comfort than All-Air Systems? A Brief Critical Literature Review

摘要

Radiant heating and cooling systems are regarded as an energy efficient technology to condition buildings. They create different indoor conditions from all-air systems, which may directly impact thermal comfort. A literature review has been conducted to assess if radiant systems provide better, equal or lower thermal comfort than all-air systems. A summary of the literature review is reported here. The following types of studies have been reviewed: building performance simulation, thermal monitoring in buildings, human subject laboratory experiments and occupant surveys in buildings. Overall, we found that the studies involving occupants and subjects were the most relevant because they provide direct evidence of perceived thermal comfort. Overall, we found that a limited number of studies are available. Therefore a solid answer cannot be given. Both systems are able to provide acceptable thermal comfort, depending on several factors, including operation and control.