Potential and challenges of a user-centric radiant cooling approach

Abstract The consequences of global warming and urban heat islands have led, amongst other things, to a rapid increase in cooling-related energy use and environmental emissions. Given the serious implications of this development, concerted efforts are needed in view of required new strategies. In this context, the present contribution focuses on an alternative user-centric radiant cooling solution. Conventional radiant cooling systems have been promoted in view of their energy efficiency potential, as well as enhanced thermal comfort provision, due to a draft-free cooling process. However, condensation risk can limit the application scope of these conventional systems. The alternative user-centric strategy is intended to address this limitation by positioning vertical radiant panels closer to occupants and incorporating drainage systems for potential surface condensation. A preliminary laboratory study was conducted to gain a first impression of the performance of user-centric vertical radiant panels. To this end, radiant panels were installed and operated in two test rooms. A small group of participants subjectively evaluated thermal comfort under different ambient air and panel surface temperatures. The results point to both the potential and the limitations of the proposed user-centric radiant cooling solution.