Underfloor Cooling
Underfloor Cooling is used to allow surplus heat to escape from a building in summer down to a ThermalBank in the ground. The same pipe array that is used to distribute heat in winter can be used to collect heat from the building in summer and provide Comfort Cooling. There are, however, detailed design issues to be accommodated if this method of cooling is to be used: pipes that are to be used for cooling should be laid with a closer spacing than those just used for heating, and the control system needs to maintain the cooling temperature above the dew point to prevent condensation from forming.
The heat that collects in the ThermalBank over the summer can be recycled back to the same building in winter to provide heating - without burning fossil fuels.
A second function for existing building fabric
ICAX gives a second function (cooling) to standard building fabric (underfloor heating pipes) that may need to be built in any event. The marginal extra cost of adding a summer cooling function to a planned underfloor heating system is very small. There is no visual impact. An added bonus is that providing cooling in this way will also make it more efficient to provide heating for the building in winter.
ICAX places a ThermalBank beneath the foundation of a new building. This gives a second function (heat storage) to standard building fabric (the insulated foundation of a new building). There is no visual impact.
ICAX uses a heat pump to recover warmth from the ThermalBank in winter and deliver heat via underfloor heating (using the same array of pipes as used for heat collection) into buildings to provide heat without burning fossil fuels.
Successful Trial
TRL reports on the successful trial of Asphalt Solar Collectors and Solar Road Systems for the Highways Agency in Toddington Results.
See Renewable Heat
See Space Cooling
See Space Heating
