How TermoDeck® works
The TermoDeck® system is different from conventional technologies because it is integrated with the heavy structure of a building. The last part of the the supply air ductwork system consists of hollow core concrete slabs instead of traditional steel ducts. The supply air passes through the hollow cores of the slab before entering the room (see picture).
TermoDeck® uses the thermal storage capacity of the building´s structural mass to regulate the internal temperatures. The effectiveness of the building’s thermal mass is enhanced by passing supply air through the slab before it enters the room. The slabs work as efficient heat exchangers between the supply air and the room.
Therefore, the supply air doesn’t differ by more than 3-4ºC from the room temperature resulting in no draughts.
Most part of the cooling and heating is radiation from the ceiling and floor surfaces of the slabs. This leads to a high indoor thermal comfort.
The floor/ceiling slabs serve many purposes:
- It is the structural floor
- It conveys fresh air into the building
- It serves as an energy store.
- The slab also acts as an efficient silencer so there is no noise from the system.
The picture shows how the slabs are incorporated into the building and how the main supply duct would normally be situated in the corridor. No ducts and therefore no false ceilings are required in individual rooms. This allows total freedom for the interior designer to locate, or re-locate in the future, the internal wall partitions.
TermoDeck® applications
TermoDeck can be combined with all types of air-conditioning (AC) units. From the AC-unit, generally placed on the roof, supply air ducts run in vertical shafts down to each floor inside the building and then to horizontal ducts placed in central corridors usually within false ceilings. Small branch ducts feed air into each slab and the air then enters a room via diffusers fixed to the soffit of the slab. Diffusers are normally located close to external walls. The exhaust air is normally removed into the central corridor plenum and is returned to the AC-unit in the conventional way.
The main distribution ductwork in the corridor is similar in construction to that found in conventional systems. The main difference with TermoDeck is that every individual structural hollow core slab is supplied with a small quantity of air from the main supply duct; in other words a small ‘feed’ duct every 1200mm along the length of the corridor.
The basic Termodeck system
The picture below illustrates TermoDeck with a central AHU feeding supply air into individual hollow core slabs. (In this case, there is insulation above the slab as this is the top floor).
Termodeck with Individual control
The Switch-Flow system together with TermoDeck satisfies very high requirements for individual adjustment of the room temperature. This system requires that chillers are installed to make it possible with instant cooling during working hours. At a chosen temperature, a motor driven damper changes the air route directly to the diffuser instead of through the labyrinth of the slab. The shorter distance prevents the supply air taking heat from the slab. This gives a very fast, individual controlled system with efficient cooling effect.
Installation of hollow core slabs
Hollow core slabs are quick and easy to install using mobile cranes
Hollow core slabs are quick and easy to install using mobile cranes or typical on-site tower cranes.
The erection time for a pre-fabricated building compared to a conventional cast in situ concrete building can be reduced by up to 30%.
Factory produced hollow core slabs enable installation to take place during all weather conditions.
TermoDeck® System
TermoDeck differs from other energy saving systems because the overall construction cost is lower than conventional buildings as no extra equipment is added.
Thermal energy storage
Thermal energy storage (TES) systems can heavily reduce the installed cooling loads and peak power loads.
Energy
TermoDeck® Buildings fulfill high requirements from an energy, enviromental and thermal comfort perspective.
Capital Costs
Independent reports have been carried out comparing capital costs of TermoDeck and conventional HVAC systems.