Radiant Ceilings – Heating and Cooling with a Single System

Radiant ceilings provide a pleasant indoor climate all year round. In summer, the ceiling cooling supplies a uniform temperature reduction without the disruptive effects of air conditioning such as cold air circulation and noise. With a comparably low energy consumption, the ceiling heating achieves optimal heat distribution in the entire room in winter.

The implementation of ceiling heating and cooling in one system reduces investment and operating costs. The absence of radiators opens up additional horizons for architecture.

Installation of a ceiling heating system with capillary tube mats

Benefits

  • Heating and cooling with one system
  • Directly perceptible radiant heat
  • Even heat distribution
  • Low air circulation, healthy indoor climate
  • No annoying radiators
  • Low energy costs

Warm feet - because ceiling heating radiates

On cool days, the warmth of the sun is felt to be very pleasant and direct. Based on a comparable principle, the radiant heat from ceiling heating acts on people and the room from above. Objects in the room and all areas surrounding the room are heated evenly by the heat radiation from the ceiling heating. Since the floor is thermally insulated, the radiant heat from the ceiling is absorbed there and the floor surface is slightly warmer than the room temperature. The result: cold feet are not to be feared with ceiling heating.

Since the surface temperature of the radiant ceiling is only marginally higher than the room temperature, there is no perceptible thermal effect. The warm air rising upwards does not heat the room; the temperature is controlled almost exclusively by means of radiant heat.

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Thermal Distribution Radiant Ceiling Heat

Chilled ceilings – cooling without a cold

Chilled ceilings reach a high level of acceptance and satisfaction among users. They appreciate the high degree of thermal comfort. The cooling without unpleasant air movement and drafts sets standards for healthy indoor climate. This is most mentioned reason why more and more hospitals are opting for ceiling cooling.

From a medical point of view, we consider it very important for our patients to have draught-free, uniform thermal room conditioning.
Thomas Höhn, Administrative Director, German Heart Centre, Berlin (DHZB)

The perceived room temperature under cooling ceilings is slightly below the measured room temperature. This additionally reduces the energy required for cooling. The risk of condensation forming on the chilled ceiling is reliably and safely prevented by limiting the flow temperature and conditioning the fresh air.

In conjunction with a ventilation system for conditioning the room air, the ceiling cooling works optimally in terms of humidity and the hygienic air renewal from a heat-physiological point of view. For this reason, chilled ceiling technology has been used successfully for many years as an energy-efficient method for removing the dry cooling load.

With BEKA capillary tube mats, meandering copper tubes or the 10 mm single tube technology, both radiant ceilings and convectively acting cooling ceilings can be implemented.

Types of radiant ceiling systems

Three technologies for the ceiling: 1) capillary tube mats for the thermal activation of plaster ceilings, metal cassette or plasterboard ceilings, 2) copper pipe meander for metal cassettes or drywall ceilings, 3) single pipe technology for plasterboard ceilings or plastered cooling ceilings

Ceiling heating & cooling for single family homes

 

Energy-efficient radiant heating and low-cost buildings are not a contradiction in terms. This can be experienced at the model house constructed by Bau- und Aufbau GmbH Zahna in Berlin Staaken. The building is equipped with the comfort of ceiling heating and cooling in combination with a heat pump and a photovoltaic system for single-family homes.

Detailed Project brochure model house with ceiling heating