A Field Study of Occupant Thermal Comfort with Radiant Ceiling Panel Systems

Hydronic radiant ceiling panel (RCP) systems have started gaining popularity in the Northwest region of the United States because of their increased energy efficiency and ability to provide superior thermal comfort compared to traditional forced air systems. Yet little evidence supporting these claims has been collected through field studies. This research presents a field study on occupant thermal comfort in an office space which is heated and conditioned with a radiant ceiling panel system. The field study is conducted at the Port of Portland (PoP) building in Portland, Oregon, USA. The PoP building is a 205,000 square foot (19,050 square meters) office building, mainly heated and conditioned by a RCP system except a few individual spaces where forced air systems are used. Portland, Oregon experiences a mixed-marine climate which is defined byASHRAE 90.1 as having warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. This study reports the results of a thermal comfort survey administered to regular occupants of the PoP building. Result analysis shows that the installed RCP system is able to provide satisfying thermal comfort to occupants in PoP building. Statistical significance between perceived thermal comfort and a number of factors, including gender, age, proximity to external windows, are also examined and reported in this study.