While this will require more pipe and larger circulators than heating-only systems, this also results in a more efficient radiant heating system, with faster response time. spacing and higher flow rates than radiant heating systems, with a typical fluid delta-T of just 5° to 8° F. Radiant cooling systems in poured floors or ceilings typically use 5/8 in. However, since it is easier to emit heat from a floor than to absorb heat back into a floor, a few adjustments need to be made during the design process to optimize the piping network for both modes. While some buildings use pipe in ceilings for optimal radiant cooling and pipe in floors for optimal radiant heating, most projects use the same embedded PEX piping network in floors for both radiant cooling and heating. Likewise, exposed concrete is the ideal ceiling construction for absorbing heat energy. Bare concrete, tile or stone floors are ideal. For this reason, radiant cooling is not recommended with carpet or hardwood flooring. To absorb heat energy into floors, there should be minimal barrier to heat transfer into the floor. But for most of North America, radiant cooling is not for the typical house with many operable windows and a single thermostat.Ĭonstruction of radiant surfaces includes PEX pipe embedded in concrete floors, walls or ceilings. There are exceptions, such as the very arid southwestern United States, where radiant heating and cooling can provide year-round comfort without the integrated HVAC component and sophisticated controls. In fact, many of the houses that are feasible for radiant cooling are large enough to be considered light commercial buildings. If this sounds like a light commercial building, it’s not far off. Multiple zones of control will be integrated to respond to local loads throughout the house. It has fixed windows or operable windows with contact relays hard surface flooring (not carpet or wood) concrete floors, walls or ceilings where PEX pipe can be embedded a source of cooled water (such as a chiller or geothermal heat pump) a downsized HVAC system to provide cooled and dehumidified fresh air and a smart control system to integrate the hydronic and air-handling systems. The ideal house for radiant cooling is a tightly sealed building designed to minimize air leakage. It is not uncommon for these homes to use ground-source geothermal heat pumps as the source to heat and cool fluid, which is particularly efficient due to the low-temperature requirements of radiant. Radiant cooling is most suited to high-performance home designs, such as those aiming for LEED certification. The initial investment cost is slightly higher than a forced-air-only system. traditional forced-air systems are 30% to 40%. Typical operational energy and cost savings of hybrid radiant/forced-air vs.
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