Annual Heating and Hot Water Load Reduction Effect of Air-Based Solar Heating System Using Thermal Simulation

• Published in: Energies (Basel) Vol. 12; no. 6; p. 1054
• Main Authors: Choi, Youngjin, Mae, Masayuki, Roh, Hyunwoo, Cho, Wanghee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 19-03-2019
• Subjects: Air temperature; air-based solar heating system; Alternative energy sources; Buildings; Conflicts of interest; Efficiency; Energy consumption; Energy demand; Flow rates; Flow velocity; Funding; Glass; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases; Heat; heat balance; Heat flux; Heating; heating and hot water; Heating load; Hot water heating; Irradiation; Load distribution; Performance evaluation; Relative humidity; simulation; Solar energy; Solar heating; Solar radiation; Temperature requirements; Thermal simulation; Thermocouples; Water shortages; Water supply; Weather; Wind direction; Japan
• ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en12061054

This study examines the effect of an air-based solar heating system that can be used directly for convection heating while minimizing thermal leakage. To compare the effect of reducing the heating and hot water load when using the system, a simulation model of the system is created, and annual load calculations are performed. The results of the simulation study show that the annual heating load is reduced by 5.39 GJ and the hot water load is reduced by 10.32 GJ when using the air-based solar heating system, resulting in a 48.3% annual load reduction effect. In addition, by analyzing the thermal balance of the indoor space based on the application of the air-based solar heating system, the problem of the existing system is elucidated. In order to improve the performance of the system as shown in the thermal balance, it is necessary not only to improve the performance of the collector, but also to review its thermal storage, insulation, and proper control.