Numerical and Experimental Validation of Low Exergy System for Heating and Cooling Of Residential Buildings
Simon Muhič1, Milan Šturm2, Mitja Mazej3
1Simon Muhič, School of Technologies and Systems, Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
2Milan Šturm, School of Technologies and Systems, Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
3Mitja Mazej, School of Technologies and Systems, Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
Manuscript received on May 28, 2013. | Revised Manuscript received on June 13, 2013. | Manuscript published on June 30, 2013. | PP: 345-351 | Volume-2, Issue-5, June 2013. | Retrieval Number: E1869062513/2013©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: This study presents the concept of a low-exergy thermal system with thermal barrier for indirect heating and cooling of a residential building. The main concept of this technology is based on the active layer with thermal barrier located inside of external wall that is reducing the transmission heat losses and gains through the building envelope by stabilizing the temperature in the thermal barrier at the level close to the indoor air temperature. With this approach the heat flux through the wall between the interior and the thermal barrier layer is reduced to a minimum value. The active layer technology is driven by the stored solar energy for heating in winter and cold soil for cooling of the building in summer. Application of the thermal barrier system with the soil heat storage has been studied numerically and experimentally on an existing residential building. On the basis of performed numerical simulations and the data obtained from the measurements the advantages and the effectiveness of the concept have been confirmed. This study provides valuable information on the application of the system and confirms its potential for zero-energy building requirements.
Keywords: Thermal barrier, Indirect heating and cooling, Renewable energy sources, Active layer.