Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Temperature Reduction Potentials in the Heating Supply of an Unrenovated University Building

Abstract

Lowering the temperatures in heating systems is the key to decarbonizing the heat supply in the building sector, because it is a door opener to greater integration of renewable heat, the use of excess heat and to improve compatibility for heat pumps. This often fails because heating systems, especially in unrenovated building stock, usually require high supply temperatures. Previous studies on temperature reduction in existing buildings are performed mainly numerically, whereas in this research the numeric calculations are validated by measurements. For this purpose, a demonstrator with two different ceiling heating systems is integrated in the listed architecture building of the Technical University of Darmstadt and the achievable temperature reduction is investigated. Based on this, parameter variations are conducted through a simulation model in order to test the feasibility of the concept for the entire building. The results show that even with an unrenovated building envelope, a significant temperature reduction to below 45 °C is possible without exceeding the normative limits of thermal comfort. With moderate building envelope renovation, the reduction is possible even to below 36 °C. The measures investigated can make the building compatible with renewable heat potentials without negative impacts on the cultural heritage.