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Radiant Conditioning Retrofitting for Residential Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Hung Q. Do

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Mark B. Luther

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Mehdi Amirkhani

    (UniSA Online, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Zheng Wang

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Igor Martek

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

Abstract

In order to achieve Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, a majority of the existing residential building stock in Australia will require retrofitting in favour of energy-efficient solutions. This paper considers retrofitting for conditioning to be one of the most straightforward and offers the greatest potential to deliver significant comfort and energy-saving results. Radiant conditioning systems are not new, yet some game-changing innovations have taken place over the last decade that may require an entire paradigm shift in the manner we condition our buildings. The reiteration of the principle ‘thermally active systems’ suggests that our buildings need to accommodate these systems into the fabric of building components. However, extremely few products and/or innovative solutions for doing such seem to be provided by the industry. We seem incompetent with solutions that are not costing the Earth, insulating, lightweight, and offering an instant response time to conditioning. We still have the concept embedded in our minds that radiative systems consist of heavy ‘combat’ construction with time lags of a day or two and that they are very costly to implement, especially if we are to retrofit a project. The purpose of this paper is to rectify and change our understanding of radiant systems, namely through a review of the existing technology and its recent advancements. It intends to introduce the fact that radiant systems can become highly reactive, responsive, and thermally dynamic conditioning systems. Lightweight radiant systems can be 40% more energy-efficient than common air conditioners and can respond in less than 15 min rather than in the hours required of heavy radiant systems. Thus, an insulated, lightweight radiant system is ideal for retrofitting residential buildings. Furthermore, this paper supports and introduces various systems suited to retrofitting a residential building with hydronic radiant systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Hung Q. Do & Mark B. Luther & Mehdi Amirkhani & Zheng Wang & Igor Martek, 2022. "Radiant Conditioning Retrofitting for Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-26, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:2:p:449-:d:720922
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sara Wilkinson & Renato Castiglia Feitosa, 2015. "Retrofitting Housing with Lightweight Green Roof Technology in Sydney, Australia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mark B. Luther & Igor Martek & Mehdi Amirkhani & Gerhard Zucker, 2022. "Special Issue “Environmental Technology Applications in the Retrofitting of Residential Buildings”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-4, August.
    2. Piotr Michalak, 2023. "Simulation and Experimental Study on the Use of Ventilation Air for Space Heating of a Room in a Low-Energy Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-17, April.

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