Comparison Experiment on Floor Surface Temperature Change and Energy Consumption in PCM Radiant Heating System

Abstract

Purpose: The insulation performance of exterior walls, roofs, windows, etc. has improved with the strengthening of energy saving laws and has reached the current passive level. However, due to the increasing demand for achieving zero energy and improving indoor comfort, additional research is needed. Therefore, in this study, a comparative experiment was performed for the purpose of examining the phase change temperature of a phase change material (PCM) in order to apply it to an underfloor radiant heating system. Method: A mock-up affected by outdoor environmental conditions was constructed. Two mock-up rooms were equipped with a general radiant heating system and a PCM radiant heating system, respectively. PCMs with phase change temperatures of 44 and 35℃ were used, and when the same room temperature conditions were maintained, the change in floor surface temperature and energy consumption of the rooms installed with the general and PCM systems were measured and compared. Result: As a result of the experiment, when the PCM was applied, the floor surface temperature was higher than that obtained with the general system. In particular, when the 44℃ PCM was applied, the floor surface temperature was the highest. However, in terms of energy consumption and floor temperature maintenance performance, it was found that applying the 35℃ PCM was the most advantageous.