Using thermal mass to counter decreasing overall heating system efficiencies in low-energy dwellings

  • Reynders G
  • Baetens R
  • Saelens D
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Abstract

The primary energy use for heating of a dwelling is governed by the net heat demand of the building and the efficiency of the heating system. As a result of the recast of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) a lot of attention is focussed on optimizing the building envelope to reduce the net heat demand. For improving insulation qualities, research shows a decrease in the efficiency of central, hydronic heating systems. Therefore the presented work uses detailed building energy simulations to analyse the effect of decreasing efficiencies. The total primary energy use and system efficiencies of the central, hydronic heating system are compared against a decentralized electrical heating. It is shown that for centralized heating system the primary system efficiency significantly decreases if highly insulated buildings are considered because of intermittent heating and control difficulties. Control strategies that increase the control flexibility by using the building thermal mass show the ability to increase the system efficiency by 15%. Also the flexibility of decentralized heating systems is found to increase the system efficiency. The primary energy use of the electrical system is however higher due to low primary production efficiency of electricity.

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APA

Reynders, G., Baetens, R., & Saelens, D. (2012). Using thermal mass to counter decreasing overall heating system efficiencies in low-energy dwellings. In 5th International Building Physics Conference. Kyoto.

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