Broiler production requires significant expenditures for heating fuel year round. Poor thermal envelope performance leads to reduced live performance, increased energy use, and reduced profitability. Poultry house building component thermal resistance (R-value) is subject to change over time. To characterize the thermal envelope heat transmission and building component R-value of two broiler houses of different ages, conductive heat flux (W/m2) and temperature gradient (Delta T °C) were monitored with heat flux meter (HFM) arrays and temperature sensors over a 13-month period. Net heat loss and building component (walls and ceiling) thermal resistance were determined from the data. Results showed differences in net heat loss were observed for the ceiling zones where 84% more heat was lost through the ceiling of the older house than that of the newer house (P < 0.05). R-values determined from field measurements for both houses were below estimated theoretical composite R-values. Observed R-values were greater for ceiling envelope zones of the newer house when compared to the older house. Increased heat loss and reductions in ceiling envelope zone R-values for the older house were attributed to shifting and settling of the looseill cellulose attic insulation material, which was especially prevalent at the ceiling peak zone. To verify the feasibility of using sol-air temperature in lieu of outside air temperature to account for radiant load during warm conditions, field measurements of temperature (°C) (interior air, exterior air, and exterior surface) and solar radiation (W/m2) were recorded of a broiler house. Sol-air temperatures were calculated from these data. Observed maximum daily air temperatures were significantly different (P<0.0001) from maximum surface and sol-air temperatures. Maximum surface and sol-air temperatures were not significantly different (P=0.2144, P=0.1544). Simulations of conductive heat transfer by air and sol-air temperatures using climatic data showed heat gain as calculated by sol-air Delta T was considerably higher when compared to heat gain calculated by air Delta T. This study supports the rationale that the sol-air temperature concept results in improved estimates of conductive heat transfer during daytime conditions which can be used to optimize insulation and ventilation requirements for broiler houses during warm conditions.

The thesis aims to propose a system for heating and hot water for a family house, according to drawings supplied by the building architect. At the request of the investor as the primary object will be considered a variant of underfloor heating. For comparing the heat loss, economic and possibly to State subsidies system selected will be processed by an alternative option to the ventilation air heating. Underfloor heating and hot air are among the low-temperature heating system, which can use low temperature heat sources, such as heat pumps. This assumption corresponds to investor requests, the source of heat in a family house with a heat pump and gas boiler. For hot water will be used as an alternative to a fireplace in the living room. To use the results of the thesis is to calculate the heat loss and heat, according to current standards include design and hot-water heating system including hot-drawing documentation. Finally, the economic evaluation of different alternatives in terms of investment and operating costs.