The UK building stock accounts for about half of all energy consumed in the UK. A large portion of the energy is consumed by nondomestic buildings. Offices and retail are the most energy intensive typologies within the nondomestic building sector, typically accounting for over 50% of the nondomestic buildings’ total energy consumption. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are the largest energy end use in the nondomestic sector, with energy consumption close to 50% of total energy consumption. Different HVAC systems have different energy requirements when responding to the same building heating and cooling demands. On the other hand, building heating and cooling demands depend on various parameters such as building fabrics, glazing ratio, building form, occupancy pattern, and many others. HVAC system energy requirements and building energy demands can be determined by mathematical modelling. A widely accepted approach among building professionals is to use building energy simulation tools such as EnergyPlus, IES, DOE2, etc. which can analyse in detail building energy consumption. However, preparing and running simulations in such tools is usually very complicated, time consuming and costly. Their complexity has been identified as the biggest obstacle. Adequate alternatives to complex building energy simulation tools are regression models which can provide results in an easier and faster way. This research deals with the development of regression models that enable the selection of HVAC systems for office buildings. In addition, the models are able to predict annual heating, cooling and auxiliary energy requirements of different HVAC systems as a function of office building heating and cooling demands. For the first part of the data set development used for the regression analysis, a data set of office building simulation archetypes was developed. The four most typical built forms (open plan sidelit, cellular sidelit, artificially lit open plan and composite sidelit cellular around artificially lit open plan built form) were coupled with five types of building fabric and three levels of glazing ratio. Furthermore, two measures of reducing solar heat gains were considered as well as implementation of daylight control. Also, building orientation was included in the analysis. In total 3840 different office buildings were then further coupled with five different HVAC systems: variable air volume system; constant air volume system; fan coil system with dedicated air; chilled ceiling system with embedded pipes, dedicated air and radiator heating; and chilled ceiling system with exposed aluminium panels, dedicated air and radiator heating. The total number of models simulated in EnergyPlus, in order to develop the input database for regression analysis, was 23,040. The results clearly indicate that it is possible to form a reliable judgement about each different HVAC system’s heating, cooling and auxiliary energy requirements based only on office building heating and cooling demands. High coefficients of determination of the proposed regression models show that HVAC system requirements can be predicted with high accuracy. The lowest coefficient of determination among cooling regression models was 0.94 in the case of the CAV system. HVAC system heating energy requirement regression models had a coefficient of determination above 0.96. The auxiliary energy requirement models had a coefficient of determination above 0.95, except in the case of chilled ceiling systems where the coefficient of determination was around 0.87. This research demonstrates that simplified regression models can be used to provide design decisions for the office building HVAC systems studied. Such models allow more rapid determination of HVAC systems energy requirements without the need for time-consuming (hence expensive) reconfigurations and runs of the simulation program.

Les écarts communément observés entre les prévisions de consommations énergétiques et les performances réelles des bâtiments limitent le développement des projets de construction et de réhabilitation. La garantie de performance énergétique (GPE) a pour vocation d’assurer des niveaux de consommations maximaux et donc de sécuriser les investissements. Sa mise en place fait cependant face à plusieurs problématiques, notamment techniques et méthodologiques. Ces travaux de thèse se sont intéressés au développement d’une méthodologie pour la GPE associant les outils de simulation énergétique dynamique (SED) à un protocole de mesure et vérification. Elle repose d’abord sur la modélisation physico-probabiliste du bâtiment. Les incertitudes sur les paramètres physiques et techniques, et les variabilités des sollicitations dynamiques sont modélisées et propagées dans la SED. Un modèle de génération de données météorologiques variables a été développé. L’étude statistique des résultats de simulation permet d’identifier des modèles liant les consommations d’intérêt à des facteurs d’ajustement, caractéristiques des conditions d’exploitation. Les méthodes de régression quantile permettent de déterminer le quantile conditionnel des distributions et caractérisent donc conjointement la dépendance aux facteurs d’ajustement et le niveau de risque de l’engagement. La robustesse statistique de ces méthodes et le choix des meilleurs facteurs d’ajustement ont été étudiés, tout comme l’influence des incertitudes sur la mesure des grandeurs d’ajustement en exploitation. Leur impact est intégré numériquement en amont de la méthodologie. Cette dernière est finalement mise en œuvre sur deux cas d’étude : la rénovation de logements, et la construction de bureaux. / Discrepancies between ex-ante energy performance assessment and actual consumption of buildings hinder the development of construction and renovation projects. Energy performance contracting (EPC) ensures a maximal level of energy consumption and secures investment. Implementation of EPC is limited by technical and methodological problems.This thesis focused on the development of an EPC methodology that allies building energy simulation (BES), and measurement and verification (M&V) process anticipation. The building parameters’ uncertainties and dynamic loads variability are considered using a Monte-Carlo analysis. A model generating synthetic weather data was developed. Statistical studies of simulation results allow a guaranteed consumption limit to be evaluated according to a given risk. Quantile regression methods jointly capture the risk level and the relationship between the guaranteed energy consumption and external adjustment factors. The statistical robustness of these methods was studied as well as the choice of the best adjustment factors to consider. The latter will be measured during building operation. The impact of measurement uncertainties is statistically integrated in the methodology. The influence of M&V process accuracy is also examined. The complete EPC methodology is finally applied on two different projects: the refurbishment of a residential building and the construction of a high energy performance office building.

As tecnologias usualmente aplicadas no mercado fotovoltaico mundial são, em sua maioria, voltadas aos painéis rígidos de células de silício cristalino, em função da redução de seus preços proporcionada pela economia de escala. No entanto, a crescente demanda no País de novos domicílios, principalmente de apartamentos, tem exigido soluções mais apropriadas: com menor ocupação de área horizontal e instaladas na fachada dos edifícios. Nesse sentido vão surgindo tecnologias fotovoltaicas como as de filmes finos como soluções mais apropriadas do que as emergentes de terceira geração, pelo fato dessas últimas ainda se encontrarem em fase de maturação técnica com poucas opções de fornecimento no mercado em nível comercial. Portanto, a abordagem desta dissertação se limitou às tecnologias de filmes finos e de vidros fotovoltaicos semi transparentes, além daquela mais usual que é a de silício cristalino. Contudo, o dinamismo do mercado mundial vem estimulando uma evolução no fator de desempenho dessas tecnologias, o que justificou a necessidade de uma revisão bibliográfica. Além disso, a maioria dos projetos fotovoltaicos vem adotando como base os painéis rígidos com células de silício cristalino, sem, no entanto, avaliarem alternativas com a aplicação de outras tecnologias. O que se nota é a falta de conhecimento mais profundo dos projetistas sobre as tecnologias de filmes finos e das melhores opções para sua aplicação em um edifício, no que tange ao seu desempenho e seu comportamento dentro do espectro de frequência. Assim, esta dissertação teve por objetivo contribuir com uma análise de desempenho energético com base em simulações para tomada de decisão técnica sobre as tecnologias mais adequadas de célula fotovoltaica para sistemas a serem instalados em fachadas de edifícios, auxiliadas por uma ferramenta computacional existente no mercado, o PVSYST. A tomada de decisão foi vista pela perspectiva de desempenho na geração de energia elétrica, pela análise comparativa dos resultados de simulações aplicadas na fachada de um edifício hipotético em São Paulo. Os resultados mostraram que as tecnologias baseadas no silício cristalino são as mais adequadas nos casos em que o pico de demanda de energia no ano seja no verão, como nos edifícios comerciais. Já os sistemas compostos pelos filmes finos do grupo do seleneto de índio e cobre são os mais indicados para os edifícios residenciais, em que o período de maior demanda é no inverno. / Technologies commonly applied in the global photovoltaic market are mostly with the rigid panels of crystalline silicon cells, due to the reduction of their prices provided by economies of scale. However, growing demand in the country of new housing units, mainly apartments, has required more appropriated solutions: with lower occupancy of horizontal area and installed on the building\'s facade. In this direction photovoltaic technologies are emerging such as thin films as better solutions than the emerging technologies of third generation, because still they are in technical maturation phase with few options of suppliers in the commercial market. Therefore, the approach of this dissertation was limited to technologies of thin films and semitransparent photovoltaic glazing, in addition to the more usual one that is crystalline silicon. However, the dynamism of the global market has stimulated an evolution in the performance factor of these technologies, which justified the necessity of literature review. Furthermore, most PV projects have been based on the rigid panels with crystalline silicon cells, not considering the alternatives using other technologies. What is noticed is the lack of deeper understanding of the designers about the thin film technologies and the best options for their application in a building, in terms of their performance and their behavior within the frequency spectrum. Thus, this work aimed to contribute to an energy performance analysis based on simulations for technical decision on the most appropriate photovoltaic cell technologies for systems to be installed on the facades of buildings, aided by an existing software tool on the market, PVSYST. Decision making was seen from the perspective of performance in electricity generation, by comparative analysis of simulations results applied on the facade of a hypothetical building in São Paulo. The results showed that the technologies based on crystalline silicon are the most appropriate in cases where energy demand peak in the year is in the summer, as in commercial buildings. On the other hand, the systems composed of the thin films based on indium and copper selenium group are the most suitable for residential buildings, where the period of greatest demand is in the winter.

Le chauffe-eau thermodynamique (CET), dont le principe repose sur une pompe à chaleur (PAC), est l’une des principales solutions pour répondre à l’enjeu de réduction des consommations énergétiques des bâtiments liées à l’eau chaude sanitaire. Le CET le plus courant sur le marché français est composé d’une PAC sur air extérieur, au R134a, dont le condenseur est de type manteau, entourant le ballon de stockage. Bien que le système arrive à maturité, les performances annuelles semblent encore loin des performances théoriques. Cette thèse a donc pour objectif l’optimisation des performances énergétiques des CET, en partant du CET standard français, selon un principe de compromis technico-économique. Pour cela, un modèle détaillé du CET standard est élaboré. La PAC est modélisée sous Dymola à l’aide de la bibliothèque TIL. Le ballon de stockage est modélisé par une combinaison d’une approche zonale et d’un modèle 1D. Ce modèle détaillé est calibré et validé expérimentalement grâce à des essais d’un CET standard réalisé en enceintes climatiques. Ce modèle est ensuite utilisé pour identifier les principaux gisements d’économie d’énergie. Une première analyse permet d’identifier les paramètres les plus influents sur les performances du CET. Cette sélection conduit ensuite à l’élaboration d’un modèle simplifié, plus apte à étudier des périodes longues de fonctionnement en intégrant des critères de coût et de confort. Une étude spécifique, à l’aide d’un algorithme génétique, permet d’évaluer le potentiel d’optimisation lié au pilotage du CET. Une étude multi-paramétrique montre ensuite que le design des échangeurs joue également un rôle important. Les résultats de ces deux voies prometteuses d’optimisation du CET étant inter-dépendants, une dernière partie consiste en une étude multi-critère. Les résultats montrent qu’avec la nouvelle configuration proposée sont obtenus, un meilleur confort thermique sur une plus large gamme de scénario, une augmentation de COP moyenne annuelle de 37 % et une réduction moyenne de facture électrique de 30 %. / Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) are efficient and fast-developing sanitary hot water production systems relying on a heat pump thermodynamic cycle for heat generation, consequently offering a considerable energy saving potential in the buildings sector. The most forthcoming HPWH on the French market are Air-Source Heat Pump Water Heaters (ASHPWH) composed of an exterior air source R134a heat pump and using a wrap-around type condenser, surrounding the thermal storage tank (TST). However, it is found that although these ASHPWH have reached an important level of maturity, it seems that there is still room for improvement of their energy performance. Consequently, the main objective of this PhD thesis is to search for optimization pathways, starting of from the reference ASHPWH on the French market, leading a better technical and economical compromise in terms of ASHPWH design. To reach this objective, a detailed model is first developed using Dymola (Modelica langage). This model comprises of a zonal model and a 1D model for the TST associated to an air source heat pump modeled with the TIL thermal component modeling library. After model calibration, the model is validated thanks to a large set of experimental tests carried out on a standard ASHPWH in climatic cells. The validated model is then used to identify optimization pathways by carrying out annual simulations and identifying energy performance improvement potentials. It is found out that both thermodynamic cycle performance and improved ASHPWH control logics are major contributors to the final energy performance. Both being highly interdependent and impacting energy performances, but also comfort and ASHPWH cost, the last part of the study consists of a multi-criteria optimization. Finally, a new ASHPWH design is proposed achieving better thermal comfort upon a large variety of user draw-off profiles, achieving a 37 % average annual energy saving and a 30 % reduction of the electrical bill.

No contexto de questões ambientais mundiais, os estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde (EAS), devido a diversas mudanças apresentadas na fisiologia dos edifícios hospitalares nos últimos 100 anos, se inserem como grandes consumidores de energia. Tais alterações devem-se ao avanço das ciências médicas, a novas tecnologias em sistemas e equipamentos e ao crescimento populacional. O presente trabalho pretende analisar a contribuição do uso de tecnologias passivas em Estabelecimentos Assistenciais de Saúde (EAS) no que tange o desempenho térmico e energético, considerando normas específicas para este uso que exigem áreas assépticas através do uso de tecnologias ativas visando o controle da infecção hospitalar e a qualidade do ar interior. Esta configuração caracteriza para estes edifícios, sistemas híbridos com relação a tecnologias ativas e passivas. O caráter experimental da pesquisa foi realizado através de Simulação Computacional com o Software Energy Plus versão 7.0 em que foi analisado o desempenho térmico e energético de um edifício hospitalar. Inicialmente o edifício foi simulado em condições existentes e posteriormente foram realizadas diversas simulações com diferentes soluções arquitetônicas entre elas a inserção de tetoverde. / In the context of global environmental issues the Healthcare Establishments due to several changes on the physiology of hospital buildings over the past one hundred years have fallen as large energy consumers. Such changes were due to the advancement of medical science, new technologies in systems and equipments, and population growth. The present work intends to analyze the contribution of the use of passive technologies in Healthcare Establishments regarding the thermal and energetic performance considering specific standards for this use that demands aseptic areas through the use of active technologies aiming hospital infection control and indoor air quality. This configuration characterizes for these buildings hybrid systems related to active and passive technologies. The research\'s experimental character was made through Computer Simulation with the Software Energy Plus version 7.0 in which were analyzed the thermal and energetic performance of a hospital building. Initially the building was simulated in existing conditions and afterwards several simulations were made with different architectural solutions, in which was among them the insertion of a green roof.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Aurea Lucia Vendramini.pdf: 426775 bytes, checksum: 564553d1ce5ca6d797acb90f3cf07ad3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-07-12 / The necessity of the application of climatic data for evaluation of energy performance in unifamiliares constructions if has become each more important time. Attempting against for this fact, one becomes necessary that these 0 variable are worked of form if to get resulted efficient. Studies in this area are very recent in Brazil and also exist a difficulty in the survey of the necessary registers. The present work used a method of degrees - days for an evaluation of the energy performance of a unifamiliar construction it showed - that in the conception of a project architectural it always must be taken in consideration of the materials used in the construction and size of the openings. The energy performance was gotten by means of the model of degrees - days, considering - the localization of the unifamiliar residence in, cities of Cascavel, Curitiba, Foz do Iguaçu and Londrina. For this the climatic data of such localities had been gotten and at as a moment, the energy performance of the construction was gotten the total coefficient of loss of heat in the unifamiliar construction daily pay-established evaluating thus the conditions of thermal comfort. The method of estimate based on the information of used temperature of air in this study can be applied to other geographic localities. It observed - that degrees - days of heating in the winter are of 77.78 for Curitiba and 0.00 for Foz do Iguaçu in the temperature base of 14°C. E degrees - days of cooling 30,17 in the winter. The energy consumed in Foz do Iguaçu to heat the residence is of 4650.07 kWh annual and the consumption of annual energy to heat the residence in Curitiba is of 6277.02 kWh, to change of 50% ITA in double glass. / A necessidade da aplicação de dados climáticos para avaliação de desempenho energético em edificações unifamiliares tem se tornado cada vez mais importante. Atentando para esse fato, é necessário que essas variáveis sejam trabalhadas de forma a se obter resultados eficazes. Estudos na área são muito recentes no Brasil e existe também uma dificuldade no levantamento dos registros necessários. O presente trabalho utilizou um método de graus dias para uma avaliação do desempenho energético de uma edificação unifamiliar que mostrou que na concepção de um projeto arquitetônico devem ser sempre considerados os materiais empregados na edificação e o tamanho das aberturas. O desempenho energético foi obtido por meio do modelo de graus dias, considerando se a localização da residência unifamiliar nas cidades de Cascavel, Curitiba, Foz do Iguaçu e Londrina. Para isso foram obtidos os dados climáticos dessas localidades e, em um segundo momento, foi obtido o coeficiente total de perda de calor na edificação unifamiliar pré-estabelecida avaliando-se assim as condições de conforto térmico o desempenho energético da edificação. O método de estimativa baseado nas informações de temperatura do ar usado neste estudo pode ser aplicado a outras localidades geográficas. Observou se que graus dias de aquecimento no inverno são de 77,78 para Curitiba e de 0,00 para Foz do Iguaçu na temperatura base de 14°C. E graus dias de resfriamento 30,17 no inverno. A energia consumida em Foz do Iguaçu para aquecer a residência é de 4650.07 kWh anual e o consumo de energia anual para aquecer a residência em Curitiba é de 6277.02 kWh, para trocas de 50% de ITA em vidros duplos.

No contexto de questões ambientais mundiais, os estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde (EAS), devido a diversas mudanças apresentadas na fisiologia dos edifícios hospitalares nos últimos 100 anos, se inserem como grandes consumidores de energia. Tais alterações devem-se ao avanço das ciências médicas, a novas tecnologias em sistemas e equipamentos e ao crescimento populacional. O presente trabalho pretende analisar a contribuição do uso de tecnologias passivas em Estabelecimentos Assistenciais de Saúde (EAS) no que tange o desempenho térmico e energético, considerando normas específicas para este uso que exigem áreas assépticas através do uso de tecnologias ativas visando o controle da infecção hospitalar e a qualidade do ar interior. Esta configuração caracteriza para estes edifícios, sistemas híbridos com relação a tecnologias ativas e passivas. O caráter experimental da pesquisa foi realizado através de Simulação Computacional com o Software Energy Plus versão 7.0 em que foi analisado o desempenho térmico e energético de um edifício hospitalar. Inicialmente o edifício foi simulado em condições existentes e posteriormente foram realizadas diversas simulações com diferentes soluções arquitetônicas entre elas a inserção de tetoverde. / In the context of global environmental issues the Healthcare Establishments due to several changes on the physiology of hospital buildings over the past one hundred years have fallen as large energy consumers. Such changes were due to the advancement of medical science, new technologies in systems and equipments, and population growth. The present work intends to analyze the contribution of the use of passive technologies in Healthcare Establishments regarding the thermal and energetic performance considering specific standards for this use that demands aseptic areas through the use of active technologies aiming hospital infection control and indoor air quality. This configuration characterizes for these buildings hybrid systems related to active and passive technologies. The research\'s experimental character was made through Computer Simulation with the Software Energy Plus version 7.0 in which were analyzed the thermal and energetic performance of a hospital building. Initially the building was simulated in existing conditions and afterwards several simulations were made with different architectural solutions, in which was among them the insertion of a green roof.

Em pauta já há algum tempo, os impactos ambientais, possivelmente gerados pela ação humana, são cada vez mais discutidos e estudados. A busca por um desenvolvimento sustentável e formas mais eficientes do consumo de energia é abordada frequentemente. No Brasil, os edifícios comerciais e públicos apresentam alta demanda de energia elétrica e os sistemas de condicionamento de ar são responsáveis por uma parcela relevante do consumo no país. Para mitigar esse consumo, o sistema de ar condicionado distribuído pelo piso tem sido proposto como uma solução, pois este é intrinsecamente mais eficiente que o sistema de ar condicionado convencional, com distribuição de ar pelo teto. O presente trabalho tem como propósito identificar o potencial de economia de energia de um sistema de condicionamento de ar com distribuição pelo piso em relação a um sistema com distribuição pelo teto, por meio da simulação computacional. Avaliaram-se também o impacto do aumento da temperatura de insuflação e do pé-direito da edificação, além do uso de ciclo economizador (controle entálpico) aplicado aos sistemas na economia de energia. Para a modelagem computacional, realizada pela ferramenta computacional EnergyPlus, tomou-se como referência uma sala de aula que contém um sistema de condicionamento de ar com distribuição pelo piso. O primeiro sistema modelado foi pelo piso, e este serviu como base para a modelagem do sistema pelo teto. Após a criação dos modelos foram executadas as simulações cujos resultados permitiram a comparação entre os consumos de energia de cada um dos sistemas. Em conformidade com a literatura, onde se afirmam que os sistemas com distribuição de ar pelo piso são mais eficientes que os convencionais (distribuição de ar pelo teto), este trabalho também concluiu que este sistema é mais eficiente, apresentando um indicador de economia de energia da ordem de 33%, para a condição: pé-direito de 3,50 m; temperatura de insuflação de 19 °C; e controle entálpico. Os resultados desta pesquisa indicam ainda que a utilização do controle entálpico tem maior influência na economia de energia se comparada ao aumento da temperatura de insuflação ou do pé-direito. / On the agenda for some time, the environmental impacts, possibly generated by human action, are increasingly discussed and studied. The demand for sustainable development and more efficient ways of energy consumption is often addressed. In Brazil, commercial and public buildings have high demand for electricity and air conditioning systems are responsible for a significant portion of this consumption in the country. The underfloor air conditioning system has been proposed as a solution to mitigate such consumption because it is intrinsically more efficient than the ceiling-based air conditioning system. The present work aims to identify the energy saving potential of an air conditioning system with underfloor air distribution comparatively to a system with ceiling air distribution, through computational simulation. Also, the impact of increased supply air temperature and the floor to ceiling height, and the use of the economizer cycle (enthalpy control) was evaluated. For the computational modeling, carried out by the EnergyPlus computational tool, a classroom that contains an air conditioning system with floor distribution was used as reference. The first modeled air distribution system was the underfloor air distribution system, and this served as a basis for the modeling of the ceiling air distribution system. After performing the models, the simulations were carried out, whose results allowed the comparison the energy consumptions between the two systems. According to the literature, where it is stated that the systems with underfloor air distribution are more efficient than the conventional ones (ceiling air distribution), this work also concludes that the system with underfloor air distribution is more efficient, presenting an energy saving indicator around 33%, for the following condition: floor to ceiling height of 3.50 m; supply air temperature of 19 ° C; and enthalpy control. The results of this research also indicate that the use of the enthalpy control has a greater influence on the energy savings compared to the increase of the supply air temperature or the floor to ceiling height.

This thesis investigates a special type of energy system, namely energy use in supermarkets through modelling, simulations and field studies. A user-friendly computer program, CyberMart, which calculates the total energy performance of a supermarket, is presented. The modelling method described in this thesis has four phases: the first phase is the de-velopment of a conceptual model that includes its objectives, the envi-ronment and the components of the system, and their interconnections. The second phase is a quantitative model in which the ideas from the conceptual model are transformed into mathematical and physical rela-tionships. The third phase is an evaluation of the model with a sensitivity analysis of its predictions and comparisons between the computer model and results from field measurements. The fourth phase is the model ap-plication in which the computer model answers questions identified in the beginning of the modelling process as well as other questions arising throughout the work. Field measurements in seven different supermarkets in Sweden were car-ried out to: (i) investigate the most important parameters that influence energy performance in supermarkets, (ii) analyse the operation of new system designs with indirect system implementation in Sweden during recent years, and (iii) validate the computer model. A thorough sensitivity analysis shows a total sensitivity of 5.6 %, which is a satisfactory result given a 10% change in the majority of input parame-ters and assumptions, with the exception of outdoor temperatures and solar radiation that were calculated as extreme values in METEO-NORM. Comparisons between measurements and simulations in five supermarkets also show a good agreement. Measurements and simula-tion results for a whole year were not possible due to lack of data. CyberMart opens up perspectives for designers and engineers in the field by providing innovative opportunities for assessment and testing of new energy efficient measures but also for evaluation of different already-installed system designs and components. The implementation of new energy-saving technologies in supermarkets requires an extensive inte-grated analysis of the energy performances of the refrigeration system, HVAC system, lighting, equipment, and the total energy usage. This analysis should be done over a long period, to evaluate and compare the real energy performance with the theoretical values calculated by Cyber-Mart. / QC 20100330

The European Union is planning to greatly decrease energy consumption during the coming decades. The ultimate goal is to create sustainable communities that are energy neutral. One way of achieving this challenging goal may be to use efficient hydronic (water-based) heating systems supported by heat pumps. The main objective of the research reported in this work was to improve the thermal performance of wall-mounted hydronic space heaters (radiators). By improving the thermal efficiency of the radiators, their operating temperatures can be lowered without decreasing their thermal outputs. This would significantly improve efficiency of the heat pumps, and thereby most probably also reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Thus, by improving the efficiency of radiators, energy sustainability of our society would also increase. The objective was also to investigate how much the temperature of the supply water to the radiators could be lowered without decreasing human thermal comfort. Both numerical and analytical modeling was used to map and improve the thermal efficiency of the analyzed radiator system. Analyses have shown that it is possible to cover space heat losses at low outdoor temperatures with the proposed heating-ventilation systems using low-temperature supplies. The proposed systems were able to give the same heat output as conventional radiator systems but at considerably lower supply water temperature. Accordingly, the heat pump efficiency in the proposed systems was in the same proportion higher than in conventional radiator systems. The human thermal comfort could also be maintained at acceptable level at low-temperature supplies with the proposed systems. In order to avoid possible draught discomfort in spaces served by these systems, it was suggested to direct the pre-heated ventilation air towards cold glazed areas. By doing so the draught discomfort could be efficiently neutralized.     Results presented in this work clearly highlight the advantage of forced convection and high temperature gradients inside and alongside radiators - especially for low-temperature supplies. Thus by a proper combination of incoming air supply and existing radiators a significant decrease in supply water temperature could be achieved without decreasing the thermal output from the system. This was confirmed in several studies in this work. It was also shown that existing radiator systems could successfully be combined with efficient air heaters. This also allowed a considerable reduction in supply water temperature without lowering the heat output of the systems. Thus, by employing the proposed methods, a significant improvement of thermal efficiency of existing radiator systems could be accomplished. A wider use of such combined systems in our society would reduce the distribution heat losses from district heating networks, improve heat pump efficiency and thereby most probably also lower carbon dioxide emissions. / <p>QC 20131029</p>