Zero-energy Sustainable Heating and Cooling System Exploration in Cool and Hot Climates

Abstract

This paper updates a research in using only renewable sources and hydronic radiators (HR) to heat homes. HR for home cooling is suspended because hot climates usually have higher humidity; to dehumidify and ventilate to remove latent metabolic heat needs additional equipment that makes it uncompetitive to air systems. At the Melbourne experimental house, a 50m-deep vertical ground heat exchanger heats water to 15.5±1°C, which is circulated to a floor-HR. The surface temperature reached the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) nighttime heating thermostat of 15°C only when the outdoor is above 10°C. Therefore, insulation will be installed into the ground around the perimeter edge o..