Residential Energy Recovery Radiant-Heated Slab System for Melting Snow: Fid-Bau Portal

Residential Energy Recovery Radiant-Heated Slab System for Melting Snow

Sharp, Scott D. / Cho, Yong K. / Li, Haorong

Abstract

This paper introduces the feasibility of a flue gas energy recovery system that applies recovered waste energy to the proposed energy recovery radiant-heated slab system (ERRHSS). Through application of a runaround coil system to a 32.2 kW indirectly fired natural gas residential furnace, energy was transferred outdoors to melt snow on a radiant-heated slab by way of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing and a small circulation pump. A full-scale model was constructed and its overall performance resulted in an adequate heat supply to melt the snow from a $1.83 \times 3.05 -m$ ( $10 \times 6 -ft$ ) concrete slab. Testing was completed successfully during normal operation of the furnace, assuming normal cycling of a nonprogrammable thermostat. The operating cost associated with the radiant snow-melting system was estimated to be less than the costs of traditional snow-melting systems on the market. The operating cost associated with the energy recovery snow-melting system was determined to be a fraction of the cost associated with a traditional gas-fired hydronic system and an electric snow-melting system. The ERRHSS provides a useful application for recycling waste heat to improve building energy efficiency while reducing the homeowner’s expense for space heating or snow removal services.