scholarly journals A comparative study of a direct current heating system and a gas furnace heating coil

2019 ◽  
pp. 185-194
Author(s):  
Ali Taileb

The objective of this research is to compare the efficiency of a direct current (DC) heating system with an electrical furnace coil. This was done using a house lab as a test bed located on the Durham College Whitby Campus in Canada. The house is approximately 1000 square feet, originally built circa 1950's/1960's, with an existing gas furnace of 60,000 BTUs and an energy efficiency EnerGuide rating of 95.5. Three options were tested during winter 2016 along with the electrical heating element. Weather normalization was taken into consideration using data provided by the weather network. The analysis showed that the direct current heating system option 3 had a higher BTUH/Watt= 3.73 compared to the furnace heating element=2.25 BTUH/Watt which represent a difference of 39.6%. An energy simulation was run using the HOT2000 software to evaluate the direct current technology vs gas, oil, propane and electricity. In each case the direct current technology showed an energy savings better than the comparative technology. From the data collected and analysis, it can be concluded that the direct current system is a valid technology for heating buildings. It is more efficient than the industry standard electrical heating coil with an efficiency of up to 40% better.

Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 275
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Hamad

One essential utilization of phase change materials as energy storage materials is energy saving and temperature control in air conditioning and indirect solar air drying systems. This study presents an experimental investigation evaluating the characteristics and energy savings of multiple phase change materials subjected to internal flow in an air heating system during charging and discharging cycles. The experimental tests were conducted using a test rig consisting of two main parts, an air supply duct and a room model equipped with phase change materials (PCMs) placed in rectangular aluminum panels. Analysis of the results was based on three test cases: PCM1 (Paraffin wax) placed in the air duct was used alone in the first case; PCM2 (RT–42) placed in the room model was used alone in the second case; and in the third case, the two PCMs (PCM1 and PCM2) were used at the same time. The results revealed a significant improvement in the energy savings and room model temperature control for the air heating system incorporated with multiple PCMs compared with that of a single PCM. Complete melting during the charging cycle occurred at temperatures in the range of 57–60 °C for PCM1 and 38–43 °C for PCM2, respectively, thereby validating the reported PCMs’ melting–solidification results. Multiple PCMs maintained the room air temperature at the desired range of 35–45.2 °C in the air heating applications by minimizing the air temperature fluctuations. The augmentation in discharging time and improvement in the room model temperature using multiple PCMs were about 28.4% higher than those without the use of PCMs. The total energy saving using two PCMs was higher by about 29.5% and 46.7% compared with the use of PCM1 and PCM2, respectively. It can be concluded that multiple PCMs have revealed higher energy savings and thermal stability for the air heating system considered in the current study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6254
Author(s):  
Elena G. Dascalaki ◽  
Constantinos A. Balaras

In an effort to reduce the operational cost of their dwellings, occupants may even have to sacrifice their indoor thermal comfort conditions. Following the economic recession in Greece over recent years, homeowners have been forced to adapt their practices by shortening heating hours, lowering the indoor thermostat settings, isolating spaces that are not heated or even turning off their central heating system and using alternative local heating systems. This paper presents the results from over 100 occupant surveys using questionnaires and walk-through energy audits in Hellenic households that documented how occupants operated the heating systems in their dwellings and the resulting indoor thermal comfort conditions and actual energy use. The results indicate that the perceived winter thermal comfort conditions were satisfactory in only half of the dwellings, since the actual operating space heating periods averaged only 5 h (compared with the assumed 18 h in standard conditions), while less than half heated their entire dwellings and only a fifth maintained an indoor setpoint temperature of 20 °C, corresponding to standard comfort conditions. Mainstream energy conservation measures include system maintenance, switching to more efficient systems, reducing heat losses and installing controls. This information is then used to derive empirical adaptation factors for bridging the gap between the calculated and actual energy use, making more realistic estimates of the expected energy savings following building renovations, setting prudent targets for energy efficiency and developing effective plans toward a decarbonized building stock.


2012 ◽  
Vol 512-515 ◽  
pp. 2863-2866
Author(s):  
Hong Bing Chen ◽  
Ping Wei

Aiming at the current unreasonable heat charge policy, this paper describes the necessity of consumption-based heat bill system, introduces the basic ideas and problems of household heat metering and central control on total heat supply, and analyzes the relationship of household heat metering and central control. The study shows these two aspects should be well coordinated wit[h each other for better energy savings.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. K. Wang

As sleep is unconscious, the traditional definition of thermal comfort with conscious judgment does not apply. In this thesis sleep thermal comfort is defined as the thermal condition which enables sleep to most efficiently rejuvenate the body and mind. A comfort model was developed to stimulate the respective thermal environment required to achieve the desired body thermal conditions and a new infrared sphere method was developed to measure mean radiant temperature. Existing heating conditions according to building code conditions during sleeping hours was calculated to likely overheat a sleeping person and allowed energy saving potential by reducing nighttime heating set points. Experimenting with existing radiantly and forced air heated residential buildings, it was confirmed that thermal environment was too hot for comfortable sleep and that the infrared sphere method shows promise. With the site data, potential energy savings were calculated and around 10% of energy consumption reduction may be achieved during peak heating.


The main objective of this study is to conduct an Energy Auditing of The University of Jordan Hospital. This hospital is quite known, as one of Jordan’s leading hospitals in human resources and equipment; however, the energy consumption of the hospital over the past few years has proven to be highly expensive. This makes the saving on costs of energy consumption a high priority that cannot be ignored. Energy audit covers the three main sections of the hospital: the Emergency Building, the Clinics Building and the Main Hospital Building. The consumption of energy, which costs the hospital a total of 2,778,426 JD/yr., can be categorized into three main parts, the lighting system, the diesel fuel consumption, and the consumption of water. After analyzing the energy invoices, and visiting the site for inspection, a list of recommended solutions that are applicable to cut down the total energy bill were derived. The implementation of renewable energy was suggested and studied of which a solar water heating system was proposed. A study on photovoltaic cells technology was performed for a sample of guest's rooms, the number of panels needed was found. After that, a feasibility study was conducted. The initial costs, annual savings and payback periods of the suggested system were estimated by the current market prices. It is found that the energy auditing and the solutions would be very beneficial as it will save a total annual value of 346,853 JDs (12.5% of the current energy bill).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Wagner ◽  
Benjamin McDaniel ◽  
Dragoljub Kosanovic

Ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems have been implemented at large scales on several university campuses to provide heating and cooling. In this study, we test the idea that a GSHP system, as a replacement for an existing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) heating system coupled with conventional cooling systems, could reduce CO2 emissions, and provide a cost benefit to a university campus. We use the existing recorded annual heating and cooling loads supplied by the current system and an established technique of modeling the heat pumps and borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) using a TRNSYS model. The GSHP system is modeled to follow the parameters of industry standards and sized to provide an optimal balance of capital and operating costs. Results show that despite a decrease in heating and cooling energy usage and CO2 emissions are achieved, a significant increase in electric demand and purchased electricity result in an overall cost increase. These results highlight the need for thermal energy storage, onsite distributed energy resources and/or demand response in cases where electric heat pumps are used to help mitigate electric demand during peak periods.


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