ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: In general, more efficient heating/cooling technologies are preferred over traditional ones, especially when they are able to maintain a higher level of thermal comfort for occupants in the area. One such option might involve panel heating systems. This paper presents a review of thermal comfort parameters such as: temperature of the heating surface, vertical temperature profile in the room and asymmetry of radiation temperature, for different kinds of panel heating systems. The case of bare feet in contact with the heated floor is introduced. Results indicate that the most suitable finishing material for the radiant floor surface is wood. Attention is also paid to divergences arising from the location of the reference element by calculation of the asymmetry of the radiation temperature. Energy savings and improvement of thermal comfort compared to conventional heating systems are analyzed and discussed.
