Operating characteristic analysis on the ultra-thin low temperature floor-heating system

Prefabricated ultra-thin radiant heating panel, as a new heating terminal type, is becoming a highlight in Yangtze River Valley area, China recently. However, there is a lack of operating characteristic research in this region, especially the energy consumption and operating mode are even less. To obtain these data, a heating system was set up in a duplex house in Chongqing. The test results show that the floor heating system could almost satisfy thermal comfort requirement at supply water temperature 45°C. But the preheating time was up to 4.5 h which was 1 h longer than that at supply water temperature 50°C. Meanwhile, the energy consumption at supply water temperature 50°C increased 0.10 Nm3/h, and the operating efficiency decrease about 2.6% compared to those at water temperature 45°C. Considering both the thermal lag and operating efficiency, a reasonable suggestion was proposed in this paper. That was, the standard families which just stay home at night should adopt the interim mode of partial room with part time. And the supply water temperature should be properly raised during the preheating period and lowered down in the steady heating stage.