An Energy Evaluative Comparison of a Thermal Comfort Design Model

This paper presents a new, improved method for designing radiant panel heating systems using accepted thermal comfort criteria, mean radiant temperature, and radiant asymmetry as bases for decision making. Peak design loads are calculated for radiant panel heating systems and convection heating systems in rooms with cold radiative interior spaces. An evaluative comparison of traditional methods and the new design method is also presented here. A parametric study of a number of enclosures establishes the differences among the ASHRAE Standard design method, the ASHRAE energy balance method, and the new thermal comfort design method, and the new thermal comfort/radiant asymmetry design method. The comparison variables include infiltration rates, metabolic rates, human location, posture, position, and radiant asymmetry within the enclosure.