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REHAU Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems Paired With
Geothermal Systems Are Key Steps on the Path to Net-zero
Building.
 Hydronic
radiant heating and cooling systems combined with
downsized air-handling systems can reduce HVAC energy
consumption and initial investment costs while
increasing thermal comfort in commercial buildings. When
further integrated with a renewable energy source, such
as the REHAU RAUGEOTM ground loop heat exchange system,
REHAU radiant heating and cooling systems make a
significant contribution toward high-performance and
net-zero building.
A recent study by the New Buildings Institute found
nearly half of the zero-energy buildings in the United
States incorporate radiant systems to meet their energy
goals. The study also notes that these systems are often
integrated with ground sourced heat pumps (GSHPs) to
achieve zero energy as part of a cost-effective package.
REHAU Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems
REHAU offers its radiant heating and cooling system as
one of the most comfortable and efficient space
conditioning solutions available today. Radiant heating
and cooling systems work by circulating fluid through a
network of RAUPEX® O2 Barrier crosslinked polyethylene (PEXa)
pipes placed in the floors, walls or ceilings. When the
circulating fluid is warm, heat is gently radiated from
the panel, warming the surfaces, objects and occupants
in the room and eliminating drafts and hot spots. When
cooled fluid is being circulated through the pipes
embedded in the building structure, radiant cooling
evenly absorbs heat energy, cooling the space to a
comfortable temperature.
Used in combination with a downsized air-handling
system, a hydronic radiant heating and cooling system
can condition a space very efficiently. By reducing the
load on the air-handling system with more efficient
hydronic energy transfer, radiant systems can not only
reduce energy costs by 30 percent or more, but can also
lower initial investment costs by allowing the
air-handling system to be downsized.
In addition to saving energy, radiant heating and
cooling systems that use moderate water temperatures
pave the way for integrating a water-to-water geothermal
heat pump system for maximum efficiency. A ground source
heat pump system can reduce energy costs by up to 70
percent in the heating mode and up to 50 percent in the
cooling mode.
“Integrating a REHAU radiant heating and cooling system
with alternative energy sources such as geothermal heat
exchange offers added energy conservation,” said Mike
Dietrich, director of the building technology business
unit at REHAU. “The wonderful thing about pairing
radiant with geothermal, is that because we run at very
moderate supply fluid temperatures, typically 100-120°F
(38-49°C) in heating mode and 55-60°F (13-16°C) in
cooling mode, we are operating in some of the highest
coefficients of performance for the geothermal
equipment. This added optimization makes an already
low-energy radiant system work at unprecedented levels
of efficiency.”
REHAU Geothermal PEXa Piping Systems
Geothermal systems exchange energy from the earth to
heat and cool at a fraction of the operating costs of
traditional HVAC, with potential energy savings up to 70
percent. The REHAU RAUGEO™ ground loop heat exchange
system employs a unique design and innovative materials
to provide numerous advantages over traditional
geothermal systems.
The RAUGEO crosslinked polyethylene (PEXa) piping system
offers superior flexibility and abrasion resistance
compared to HDPE, while pre-formed double U-bends
require up to 30 percent less borehole footage than a
single HDPE U-bend. RAUGEO ground loops usually begin
and end at a balancing manifold that, unlike the typical
reverse-return header, allows each ground loop to be
individually controlled for system optimization.
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