NATURAL CLIMATE SYSTEMS IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

This includes the bed towers of hospitals, clinics, therapy centers, doctor’s offices, as well as retirement and nursing homes. Ceiling systems for building air-conditioning are becoming increasingly popular in these areas. Important here is that, aside from the optimum temperature regulation, the rooms exhibit a healthy room climate. This includes the purity of the air as well as air humidity.

Ceiling systems transfer their thermal energy almost exclusively by means of radiant heat, which is distributed evenly throughout the room. As heating is performed from the top of the room, no convection, i.e. rising warm air, can occur. Radiators and floor heating systems have a very high portion of convective heat emission of 50 % and more. The air serves as an energy transmitter here, rising to the top and accumulating dust and finest particles, which impairs the room air and can cause allergies in the worst case. In addition to this, energy losses during air change occur.

With regard to temperature regulation in healthcare facilities, aside from heating in winter, more emphasis has been put on the protection against overheating during summer. A good building shell is usually not sufficient here, as the temperatures in summer continue to rise. In addition to this, high internal heat loads are generated by the persons and devices. Ultimately, active cooling is required. In view of the energy efficiency and quality of the room, ceiling cooling is by far the best option.

However, there is a significant issue with this: Area systems cannot regulate the room air humidity, which leads to a quick increase of the humidity ratio in particular when cooling buildings, and ultimately causes the shut-down of the cooling process. Here, the air change inside the building has to be increased significantly, which implies the utilization of central ventilation systems. By this, a certain proportion of the room humidity can be dissipated via the high air flow and the cooling function is ensured without restrictions on approximately 80 % of all cooling days. The fresh air supply must be dehumidified in order to ensure 100 % cooling without restrictions. This consumes a lot of energy; compared to the actual energy costs for cooling that corresponds to an addition of approx. 60 %. Furthermore, the dehumidification of the fresh air supply affects the quality of the room.

With the natural air-conditioning systems of ArgillaTherm, the HUMID modules take on the humidity management. Central ventilation systems are therefore no longer required!   

Central ventilation systems are not required to discharge CO₂ and pollutants to a sufficient extent. The necessary air volumes can be easily moved by decentralized ventilation systems or natural ventilation, i. e. through windows.