Healthy climate and energy savings: using thermal ceramic panels and solar thermal panels in mediterranean housing blocks

Radiant surface conditioning systems based on capillary tube mats not only provide high standards of comfort, but they also generate substantial energy savings. These systems allow for using renewable energies such as solar thermal panels because they function with water at moderate temperatures¿lower in winter and higher in summer¿compared to fan-coil systems or hot water radiator systems. Moreover, in summer, they can be combined with solar cooling systems based on lithium chloride or absorption systems based on lithium bromide, which enable the cooling of water at 15¿16 C by means of solar thermal panel energy collection. This further reduces the annual energy. The purpose of this study was to examine the application of thermal ceramic panels (TCP) containing prolipropylen (PPR) capillary tube mats, in residential buildings in the Spanish Mediterranean. The water distribution system was set up individually from a heat pump and was combined with a community system of solar thermal panels. After monitoring a home over a complete one-year cycle, the annual energy demand was quantified through simulations, based on both the radiant system and the VRV system, as well as in combination with a thermal solar panel system. TCP panels reduced the annual energy demands by 31.48%, and the additional investment cost of  11,497 could be amortized over 23.31 years. The combination of TCP panels with 18.5 m2 of solar thermal panels reduced the annual energy demand by 69.47%, and the inv

Simulation of bioclimatic systems in detached houses: reduced energy demand by using space in the basement

The climate conditions of the Mediterranean coast in Spain require a high energy demand in detached houses. Traditionally, vernacular architecture obtained an air interior temperature in summer of around 26°C ¿ in principle quite comfortable because the superficial temperature of the walls was less than 23°C ¿ by using masonry walls of around 50 cm in thickness. However, the high amount of air infiltrating through doors and windows, together with the difficulty of expelling the water vapour generated by people, meant that in practice the conditions of comfort were less satisfactory. Modern architecture changed these building patterns. Multi-layered walls are achieved with much less thickness, usually giving a 4 cm thick layer of insulation and an air chamber. With this, the thermal inertia is greatly reduced. But the most relevant factor of change is the increase in the glass area of these houses. Although double glazing substantially reduces the thermal transmittance value, the energy demand is considerably higher. However, structural techniques make it possible to introduce bioclimatic systems that can be put to advantage. This research looks into the benefits of having living space in the basement, as a method of passive temperature control in summer. We studied a detached house on the coast of Alicante, where the moderate temperature of the ground tempers the interior conditions of comfort using the flow of air from the basement towards the upper floors