Integrating Low-temperature Heating Systems into Energy Efficient Buildings

Energy requirements for space heating and domestic hot water supplies in the Swedish building sector are responsible for almost 60 % of the total energy used. To decrease this enormous figure, energy saving measures are required, as well as opportunities to use low-temperature heating systems for increase sustainability. The present paper studies low-temperature heating systems, including heat production units (district heating or heat pumps) and heat emitting units in the room. The aim was to find an answer to the question of whether or not low-temperature heating systems are energy efficient and sustainable compared with conventional heating systems. To answer this question, we considered different efficiency aspects related to energy and exergy. The analysis showed that low-temperature heating systems are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than conventional heating systems. This was attributed to heat pumps and district heating systems with lower temperature heat emitters using a greater share of renewable resources and less auxiliary fuels. This report discusses the pros and cons of different types of low-temperature heat emitters. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/hy-nc-nd/4.0/).