ScholarWorks@성균관대학교

초록

Radiant Floor Heating (RFH) systems are increasingly adopted in residential and public buildings due to their high energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and compatibility with renewable energy. However, conventional RFH systems exhibit slow thermal response and high thermal inertia, primarily due to heat storage within thick concrete floor layers. This study evaluates the performance improvement of an RFH system that incorporates high-conductivity aluminum heatsink structures within the floor. The heatsink layer aims to accelerate heat transfer, enhance thermal storage, and reduce heating energy demand. To assess the impact of this modification, the study combines long-term experimental measurements with a calibrated Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) model. Two test cells with identical configurations were compared—one with a traditional floor and the other with an integrated heatsink structure. Results show that the heatsink-integrated system achieved a 10.77% reduction in heating energy during a 12-day test and a potential 23.2% annual energy savings in simulation. Heat balance analysis indicates a 25.64% reduction in heat loss and a 14.07% increase in the amount of heat retained within the existing floor thermal mass, attributed to improved lateral heat spreading and more effective utilization of the concrete slab's storage capacity. The heatsink structure also improved thermal comfort, increasing the percentage of occupied hours within the optimal Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) range by 8.74%. These findings highlight the effectiveness of floor-level heat transfer enhancements in improving RFH system performance. The proposed configuration is particularly relevant for buildings requiring faster heating response, for practical radiant floor heating design in cold climates, and for retrofit or new-build applications where major system replacement is not feasible. This research offers a validated simulation framework and practical insights for designing energy-efficient heating systems in cold climate regions, supporting building-sector decarbonization and carbon neutrality goals.

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