Enhancement of heat transfer efficiency through indirect radiation
The energy transition promotes low-temperature hydronic and fast-responding electric heating systems, bringing radiant heating into the focus of research. While previous work has extensively optimized system layout, sizing, and control, further gains at the system level are increasingly limited.
This research project therefore follows a holistic approach by shifting the focus from the heating system to the indoor space itself, specifically the radiative properties of unheated room surfaces. By increasing their mean reflectance, heat transfer efficiency can be improved and the heating demand required for achieving thermal comfort reduced by up to 30%. The energy-saving potential of infrared-reflective unheated surfaces is investigated through numerical and experimental studies, with particular emphasis on large non-residential buildings and both steady-state and intermittent operation.
Funding
| Project term | Jan. 2026 – Dec. 2027 |
| Funding code | 10.08.18.7-25.38 |
| Project management | Gerrid Brockmann, Lukas Schmitt |