Thermal comfort of radiant ceiling panel cooling system installed in an office in Japan

This study focuses on the thermal comfort provided by radiant cooling and heating systems in Asia. For this purpose, a field survey was conducted during the summer in a Japanese office with radiant ceiling panel cooling systems. Indoor environment measurements were made and questionnaires were handed out to the workers. By using these measurements and questionnaires, the thermal comfort provided by radiant ceiling panel cooling systems in Asia was evaluated. Three results were obtained from the indoor environment measurements. First, because the air temperature was higher in the upper floors, the necessity for thermal insulation was recognized. Second, because the radiant temperature (in the range of 1.5-3.0 °C) was lower than the air temperature, a radiant cooling effect was realized. Finally, almost all of the workers were satisfied with the minimal air flow rate.