CFD investigation of the influence of low emissivity coatings to reduce domestic energy consumption

Abstract

The opportunity to perform energy savings at a kitchen room scale was numerically explored by applying low emissivity coatings to internal surfaces of walls and external casings of appliances. The study focuses on the radiator's heating consumption necessary to maintain the desired comfort temperature. The objective is to provide reliable scientific proof of the added value of low emissivity coatings by performing CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations. Based on this domestic cavity model and a gray-body approach, a parametric study was performed covering a wide range of surface emissivity combinations, in winter weather conditions. The risk of overheating is also analyzed in summer weather conditions. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.