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A Review of Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS) as an Alternative for Improving the Indoor Environment of Buildings

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  • María M. Villar-Ramos

    (Doctorado en Ciencias en Ingeniería, División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (DAIA-UJAT), Carretera Cunduacán-Jalpa de Méndez km. 1, Cunduacán 86690, Tabasco, Mexico)

  • Iván Hernández-Pérez

    (División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (DAIA-UJAT), Carretera Cunduacán-Jalpa de Méndez km. 1, Cunduacán 86690, Tabasco, Mexico)

  • Karla M. Aguilar-Castro

    (División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (DAIA-UJAT), Carretera Cunduacán-Jalpa de Méndez km. 1, Cunduacán 86690, Tabasco, Mexico)

  • Ivett Zavala-Guillén

    (Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada 22860, Baja California, Mexico)

  • Edgar V. Macias-Melo

    (División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (DAIA-UJAT), Carretera Cunduacán-Jalpa de Méndez km. 1, Cunduacán 86690, Tabasco, Mexico)

  • Irving Hernández-López

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Metalurgia, Universidad de Sonora (UNISON), Blvd. Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico)

  • Juan Serrano-Arellano

    (División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México/IT de Pachuca, Carretera Mexico-Pachuca km. 87.5, Colonia Venta Prieta, Pachuca de Soto 42080, Hidalgo, Mexico)

Abstract

Among the alternatives for improving the thermal comfort conditions inside buildings are the thermally activated building systems (TABS). They are embedded in different building components to improve the indoor air temperature. In this work, a review and analysis of the state of the art of TABS was carried out to identify their potential to improve thermal comfort conditions and provide energy savings. Furthermore, this study presents the gaps identified in the literature so that researchers can develop future studies on TABS. The articles found were classified and analyzed in four sections, considering their implementation in roofs, walls, floors, and the whole envelope. In addition, aspects related to the configuration of the TABS and the fluid (speed, temperature, and mass flow rate) were analyzed. It was found that when TABS are implemented in roofs, walls, and floors, a reduction in the indoor temperature of a building of up to 14.4 °C can be obtained. Within the limitations of the TABS, the complexity and costs of their implementation compared to the use of air conditioning systems are reported. However, the TABS can provide energy savings of up to 50%.

Suggested Citation

  • María M. Villar-Ramos & Iván Hernández-Pérez & Karla M. Aguilar-Castro & Ivett Zavala-Guillén & Edgar V. Macias-Melo & Irving Hernández-López & Juan Serrano-Arellano, 2022. "A Review of Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS) as an Alternative for Improving the Indoor Environment of Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-31, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:17:p:6179-:d:897628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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