Thermal comfort and environmental impact in the heating system refurbishment of a Victorian Hall with Infrared ceiling panels

This study presents a holistic approach to evaluating the heating refurbishment of a historic Victorian hall in Brighton, UK, using infrared ceiling panels. While field studies have explored radiant heating ceiling panels in new constructions, limited research has investigated their application in renovating historic buildings with highly dissipative envelopes. The methodology addresses this gap and integrates perceived thermal comfort, financial feasibility, and environmental impact. The study involved a two-phase method: a thermal comfort analysis and Building Energy Simulations (BES). Results revealed that while infrared panels are easy to install, their environmental impact outweighs alternatives requiring more complex installations but offering economic returns and user satisfaction. The study provides valuable guidelines for designing and installing ceiling radiant systems in large community spaces, emphasizing comprehensive planning to achieve user comfort, energy savings, and environmental sustainability.