An experimental study of front surface thermal performance of domestic and commercial electric heating solutions using thermography and thermocouples

Abstract

The UK government is developing green schemes and introducing new legislations for future housing. This is having a positive effect on the general population causing them to switch from gas to electric heating. In addition to this, new build housings are also strongly encouraged to install only electric heating systems in line with the legislation. Electric heating is therefore becoming more popular and as there are many heating systems available in the marketplace, there is a need to analyse the performance of various heating systems. This study explores the heat map of front surface temperatures using thermography and thermocouples of commonly used heating systems. Five electric heating samples used in the commercial and domestic markets and dwellings have been investigated during this study. The purpose of this paper is to quantify and compare the heating and cooling cycles of various types of electric heating systems. It is also to identify to what extent the heating takes place for each sample. Results depicted that the Trust sample had the lowest surface temperature out of the five samples, meaning it is the safest sample to being in contact with that has been tested. Further to this, Sample B reached extremely high temperatures exceeding above 100°C surface temperature during its heating cycle. Further work is required to clarify and quantify thermal inertia of the samples.