Abstract

This study proposes a heat-recovery type Radiant Cooling Ceiling with a Water Loop Desiccant System (RCCwWLDS) as an energy-efficient solution that can maintain occupant comfort in a residential building. The objective of this study is to quantify the improvements in occupant comfort and the reductions in energy consumption achieved by applying a heat-recovery temperature humidity independent control (THIC) system previously validated for office buildings ― — to residential buildings. Simulations were carried out in EnergyPlus v24.1.0. The results show, first, that in the CAC case 79.6% of hours fell outside the comfort zone, whereas all hours remained within the comfort zone with RCCwWLDS. Second, when the RCCwWLDS setpoints were adjusted to achieve the same PMV level as CACwReheat, source-side energy use was reduced by 32.1% compared with CACwReheat and by 19.0% relative to the original RCCwWLDS configuration.