Energy consumption and thermal comfort in dwelling-cells: A zonal-model approach

In this study, we present a simplified model of the thermal behaviour of dwelling-cells, with a view to evaluating the performances of various heating systems that are commonly used in such environments. This model is based on a zonal-method representation of thermal exchanges in enclosed spaces. Following the validation of the model, we carried out a numerical study on two types of heat source, i.e. localized (a hot-water radiator and an electrical convector) and distributed (a hot-water heated floor and an electrical heated ceiling). The models were used to predict the heat losses specific to each system, as well as the indoor thermal ambience that the different systems induced. It was found that, for the configurations studied, the distributed heat sources presented a slight advantage over the localized sources, with regard to the criteria of energy consumption and thermal comfort.