Thermal performance of under-floor electric heating system with shape-stabilized PCM plates

The cheap electricity at night can be used for space heating by a thermal storage system. A model was developed to analyze the thermal performance of an under-floor electric heating system with shape-stabilized phase change material (PCM) plates. The model was verified with experimental data. The study then analyzed the effects of various factors on the thermal performance of the heating system, its feasibility in different climate regions and control during the winter. The results show that the system should be designed with the proper phase transition temperature and air layer thickness which depend on the specific climatic conditions. The indoor temperature can be kept in the comfort range by controlling the heating floor area during the winter.