When planning the construction of an energy-efficient and cost-effective building today, we strongly recommend that you consider incorporating a Thermally Activated Building System (TABS).
With TABS, investors and business owners can significantly reduce costs for the full life cycle of their building while at the same time creating an energy-independent, healthy indoor “climate,” ensuring comfortable and productive employees, relaxed customers—and business success.
How the TABS System Works
This modern heating and cooling system features water pipes embedded in the structural concrete slabs, floors or walls of a multi-story building. The use of TABS panels along with a heat pump and a natural heat storage device relies on the building mass to store heat and adjust the temperature, or to cool the premises as needed.
Advantages of TABS
– Increases the speed of construction.
– Reduces the height of the building and the number of materials used due to the absence of suspended ceilings.
– Saves up over 30% on installation expenses compared to standard HVAC.
– Cuts operating costs, including electricity, by up to 33% compared to a classic HVAC system.
– Promotes indoor comfort and, as a result, increased labor productivity.
– Benefits the environment through high energy-efficiency.
– TABS system components do not require maintenance.
– Avoids the “sick building syndrome,” including noise and drafts from fan coil units.
– Eliminates any restrictions when planning. TABS is an invisible system that provides maximum freedom of architectural and construction solutions.
– Offers reliability and durability of the system.
– Integrates renewable energy sources seamlessly.
– Delivers ideal solution for modern, environmentally-friendly buildings with efficient insulation and solar shading.
Consider Integrating Ventilation, Air Cooling and Heating from the Get-Go
Anyone planning to build an office or other multi-story commercial building, will, of course, need to provide ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems. Designing and installing each of them is a complex task that requires significant investment. Looking at this from a fresh perspective: why not integrate climate control systems into the building design from the very beginning?
The Uponor TAV piping system, for example, utilizes the thermal mass of the concrete slab through pipes laid in it to supply water to heat or cool the building structure. This way, the ceilings, floors and walls contribute to the dissipation of heat for cooling and also contribute to the heating of the rooms. The pipes laid inside the concrete structure activate the building’s concrete slab, which allows the heat energy to be stored or dissipated.
Although Uponor TAV is not an air conditioner and is not a replacement for a ventilation system, the tasks of traditional technologies are minimized, which makes it possible to provide the best indoor climate. In addition, this is done imperceptibly, inaudibly and without tangible circulation of air masses. This is a completely innovative approach!
In this environmentally-efficient technology, the heating and cooling system operates at temperatures close to ambient. Thus, it is ideal for integrating renewable energy and natural cooling sources.
An air conditioning system by itself tends to reduce humidity too much at low temperatures, causing dryness in the mucous membranes and discomfort for people in the building. Utilizing an Uponor TAV system eliminates that problem.
To achieve comfort, relative humidity should be 50-60%. At a temperature difference between the surfaces and the human body of 8 ℃, optimal heat transfer is achieved. The air in contact with cold surfaces cools down and this causes a weak convection air movement that does not cause discomfort.
Uponor TAV complies with LEED, BREEAM and DGNB certifications for environmentally-efficient construction and can be used in conjunction with traditional heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
Uponor will also provide you with technical support for your project from the very beginning, starting at the conceptualization stage and running throughout the entire life of the building.
The system can be used in conjunction with traditional heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
How does a Uponor TAV System Virtually Pay for Itself?
A building owner or investor benefits from short- and long-term advantages in terms of comfort, reliability and low energy consumption.
Employee and customer comfort is ensured by a silent temperature control system. The absence of forced air circulation eliminates dust and tangible air currents, creating a healthy indoor climate, and the concealed system also provides freedom of space and a flexible interior layout.
Low energy consumption is achieved due to the average operating water temperature (20-26°0), which is close to the ambient temperature. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the heat source and enables the use of renewable energy and natural cooling sources following the energy-saving principle underlying the system.
And last but not least, Uponor TAV is economical. The costs start to pay off as early as the construction phase, and the economic efficiency of the system is guaranteed throughout the entire service life of the building. In addition, the TAV system has a long service life.
Building owners today can create beautiful, comfortable and highly efficient structures using the TABS integrated cooling and heating system.