TermoDeck

Technical Report

Student
Matriculation Number
Module leader

Fahimeh Rezvani
10019743
John B. Wood, University of Edinburgh

Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Heavyweight Construction....................................................................................................................... 5
TermoDeck .............................................................................................................................................. 6
TermoDeck Principle............................................................................................................................ 6
Indoor Climate Regulation ....................................................................................................................... 7
BUILDING FABRIC .................................................................................................................................... 8
Exposed Roof Construction .................................................................................................................. 8
Ceiling / Bulkhead Finishes .................................................................................................................. 9
External Wall Construction .................................................................................................................. 9
Internal Partitions ................................................................................................................................ 9
Ground floor ........................................................................................................................................ 9
Overhangs/Exposed Floors .................................................................................................................. 9
Windows & glazing performance ....................................................................................................... 10
Fixing ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Drainage ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Wire patterns .................................................................................................................................... 10
Core infill ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Benefit .................................................................................................................................................. 11
Repeat business................................................................................................................................. 11
Low energy consumption................................................................................................................... 11
Occupant satisfaction ........................................................................................................................ 11
Low environmental impact ................................................................................................................ 12
Design flexibility ................................................................................................................................ 12
Reduced capital costs ........................................................................................................................ 12
Reduced running, operating and maintenance costs .......................................................................... 13
Storage capacity of a hollow core concrete slab..................................................................................... 13
Simulation ............................................................................................................................................. 14
Planning AND DESIGN Flexibility ............................................................................................................ 14
Performance Data: Costs and Energy Consumption ............................................................................... 15
TermoDeck Systems .............................................................................................................................. 16
The Basic TermoDeck System ............................................................................................................ 16

TermoDeck with Mechanical Cooling ................................................................................................. 16

TermoDeck with Evaporative Cooling ................................................................................................ 17
TermoDeck with Displacement Ventilation ........................................................................................ 17
TermoDeck with Switch-flow ............................................................................................................. 17
Control .................................................................................................................................................. 18
1. TermoDeck treated Hollow core units ............................................................................................ 18
2. Low energy air handling units ........................................................................................................ 18
3. Building energy management system............................................................................................. 18
Examples of the control modes of a low energy air handling unit........................................................... 19
Conclusion............................................................................................................................................. 20
References ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Introduction
As a background The TermoDeck
system was developed in Scandinavia
by two Swedish engineers Mr. Loa
Anderson and Dr. Engelbrekt Isflt in
the 1970s. After that, during the fall of
2004 the work with a project called
TermoDeck Revisited began at the
division of Building Technology at the
Royal Institute of Technology in
Stockholm, Sweden. The project was
developed due to the need of cost
efficient means to reduce the use of
high quality energy and to reduce the
environmental impact of buildings.
The TermoDeck system works in conjunction with mechanical ventilation system, simple
ductwork, and low U-value materials to maximize the heat exchange between the structure and
the interior environment and creates an holistic system that is quiet in operation, unobtrusive in
appearance, and which provides the stable internal conditions required for most types of
buildings including offices, libraries, hotels, schools, hospitals, theatres and universities.
At the TermoDeck system the supply air passes through the hollow cores at low velocities,
allowing prolonged contact between the air and the slabs. This enables the slabs to behave as
passive heat exchange elements that release heat to, or absorb heat from, the air in the slabs.
The temperature difference, between the slab and the air that exits the slab, is not more than 1
and 2 degrees Celsius.
In winter, a heat recovery airhandling unit re-uses the heat
generated within the building by
occupants, IT equipment and
lighting to pre condition the incoming
fresh air. In summer, intelligent
control pre cools the TermoDeck
slabs over night using the lower
ambient air temperatures. The slabs
are purged of unwanted heat during
this process to provide further coolth
storage for the following day,
reducing the need for mechanical
cooling.
The most space of my project is theatre so an alternative strategy is to use active thermal
mass systems. These are suitable for buildings with higher heat loads and more demanding
cooling requirements such as lecture halls, theatres and offices. In this instance, enhanced heat
transfer and thus extra cooling (up to 40 W/m2).Clearly the noise issue ruled out natural
ventilation and a conventional air conditioned system would breach the low energy rule.

In addition to, TermoDeck was the only system found to satisfy the three basic rules means Low
energy consumption, resistance to external noise and low maintenance.
What is unique about this system is that ventilation and heating/cooling is integrated into one
system. The biggest advantage of the system is the capability to store and distribute heat in the
hollow core concrete elements which has a positive effect on energy use.

Heavyweight Construction
In the heavyweight construction, the flow of heat is slowest through dense, once dense
materials have reached their maximum internal temperature, the slow release of heat
helps maintain comfortable room temperatures for a significant time after the initial heat
input has been made.
The thermal mass provides a relatively stable radiant temperature, so even if the air is
quite warm the concrete surface will make occupants feel relatively cool. It enables
higher air temperatures to be tolerated than in lighter-weight buildings, which can be
subject to higher radiant temperatures resulting from warmer internal surfaces
Benefit
There is a 2 15% saving in heating energy due to thermal mass, with a typical
saving in North-European climate conditions of 10% when comparing light and
heavyweight buildings.
When no cooling is used in the summer, the highest indoor air temperatures in a
heavyweight building are 3 6 degrees lower than those in an equivalent
lightweight building; thus high thermal mass can reduce the need for cooling.
Night ventilation of the buildings can decrease or prevent the use of mechanical
cooling. When coupled with high thermal mass, this decreases the energy
needed for cooling by up to 50%.
The combination of high thermal mass and improved air tightness can result in a
20% reduction in heating energy consumption compared with a lightweight
equivalent.
There are several ways to
enhance the functions as a
thermal storage or thermal
buffer. The first method is
implemented by a famous
TermoDeck system.

Figure 1 Utilization of free energy gains according to EN ISO 13790

(simplified for this guide). The example shows that, for a given ratio of
free gains to heat loss, a heavyweight building provides a higher
utilization than a lightweight building. Source : European Concrete

Platform, 2007

TermoDeck
TermoDeck is an energy efficient
environmental control solution that utilizes
the buildings thermal mass to provide
balanced ventilation with passive heating
or cooling. It is a very effective way of
maintaining comfortable and stable
temperatures over the course of a day
within a building. So, It is play a crucial
part in the sustainability strategy of the
design.

TermoDeck Principle
The maximum heat level reached during the
day is delayed by the thermal mass of the
concrete and can be counterbalanced by the
cool of the night to create a thermal lag.
The TermoDeck system is an example of
airborne system means the cavities are used to
circulate air through the concrete slabs. And the
slab acts as a silencer so there is no noise from
the system and as the supply air doesnt differ
by more than 1-2oC from the room temperature
there are no draughts.
The technology exploits the storage effect of
hollow core concrete slabs, in which the cores
are used as supply air ducts. The heat
exchange between the supply air and the slab is
around 90% leading to that the heat generated
during the day is efficiently absorbed by the cool
concrete. During the night, the cool supply air
(re-circulating or using free night cooling)
removes the stored heat. With this principle, the
mechanical installation is 50% smaller.
Experience from nearly 400 buildings show that
compared to conventional air-conditioning
systems; energy consumption is reduced by 3050%, installation costs are lower and that up to
100% of the AC power demand can be reduced
for 3-5 hours (peak hours). During peak hours,
the electrical power used by a TermoDeck Figure 2 TermoDeck Principle
installation can be up to 70-90% less than with
conventional systems. This will substantially Source: Termac, 2001
reduce the investments in new power plants
needed to operate purely during peak hours.

Indoor Climate Regulation

The TermoDeck system uses the ceiling and floor slabs as mass stores of energy with
large surfaces for cooling and heating.

Figure 6 Summer nights:

Figure 3 Summer days:

During the night, the air supply fans bring the cool
outdoor air into the hollow core slabs, and the
building frame is cooled. Source: Tarmac, 2001

During the day, the warm outside air is cooled when

passing through the cores in the slab. The cool concrete
structure also absorbs heat generated from lighting,
machinery, people, and re-radiated solar gains. Source:
Tarmac, 2001

Figure 5 Winter days:

Figure 4 Winter nights:

During the day, the building structure can more

efficiently absorb and distribute the surplus
heat, and due to high insulation, the heat is
retained for long periods. Source: Tarmac, 2001

During the night, the system is dampered shut. The stored

heat is distributed and gradually released to the internal
spaces. (In a building of light material, the temperature will
fall more rapidly. With the heavy framework and high
insulation in a TermoDeck building, the accumulated heat
can keep the indoor temperature at a pleasant level.)
Source: Tarmac, 2001

BUILDING FABRIC
Generally the Approved Document Part L2A (2010)
of the Building Regulations 2010, represent the
minimum standard for non-domestic TermoDeck
building design.

Figure 7 Typical TermoDeck Building, Source: Eco

Structures and TermoDeck Ltd.

Exposed Roof Construction

TermoDeck recommend that any roof exposed to the outside should have a U value of
not more than 0.2 W/m C. This should be achieved by the fixing of insulation directly
onto the top of the TermoDeck ceiling slab. The insulation should be kept dry at all
times by providing a waterproof membrane above the insulation.
To enable a TermoDeck scheme to be
incorporated into the BGS, the underside of the
concrete floor soffit also needed to be exposed and
soffits shall be fair-faced.
If a thermally active area is to have a false
ceiling, it should be an open grid or perforated
metal tray type (The open or perforated area to be
not less than 40% of the
TermoDeck slab area).
In non thermally active areas or corridors,
conventional false ceilings may be used that
enables air distribution ductwork and other
services to be installed in these areas.
A plaster skim may be applied to the slab soffit,
but not have insulating properties.
The hollow precast slabs are generally horizontal, but in some places the roof was to be
pitched at a steep angle to create dramatic internal spaces, this required special slings
and cleats to enable the slabs to be erected safely.

Ceiling / Bulkhead Finishes

All areas treated by the TermoDeck system should have exposed soffits. False ceilings
are NOT acceptable in TermoDeck treated areas and bulkhead intrusion should be kept
to a minimum. Exceptions may be made in areas that are lightly trafficked and/or have
very low incidental heat gains. Such areas can accept a false ceiling but TermoDeck
strongly recommend designs that avoid any form of insulation and also incorporate a
very high percentage free area to enable effective circulation of air and maximize
exposure of the thermal mass.
Internal finishes shall be either painted or other applied finish of minimal thickness with
non-insulating properties.

External Wall Construction

TermoDeck recommend that external walls and opaque areas of curtain walling should
have a U value of not more than 0.25 W/mC.
Internal surfaces shall be either exposed painted blockwork or plastered (the use of
mass in the external walls and its exposure to the space will help). Lightweight walls are
not recommended where they represent a large proportion of the enclosing surface area
relative to the exposed ceiling area and where significant cooling loads are to be dealt
with.
The internal masonry layer should ideally be no less than 100mm block work (preferred
Density - 1400 kg/m or higher).Insulation should be fixed to the outer surface of the
concrete block leaf. Dry lining of external walls is NOT recommended.

Internal Partitions
Plastered/painted wall construction is preferred, in order to increase thermal mass.
Lightweight insulated partitions are acceptable.

Ground floor
TermoDeck recommend that ground floors in contact with the earth should have a
maximum U value of 0.25 W/m C. Continuous under-slab thermal insulation is
essential.

Overhangs/Exposed Floors
TermoDeck recommend that projecting floors exposed to outside air should be made
active and should achieve a U value of not more than 0.20 W/mC.

Windows & glazing performance

TermoDeck recommend that external windows should have a maximum U value of 1.6
W/m C and that a solar shading coefficient of 0.2 should be strived for on all
orientations, except north. Properly designed external shading or mid-pane blinds are
strongly recommended to control the amount of incoming solar energy.
Low E double glazing is acceptable but triple glazing is preferred, which works very
well with integral blind in outer air space and low-E sealed unit for inner panes.
Window area not to exceed more than 35% of any external elevation.
The whole building enclosure should not exceed an infiltration rate of 5m3/hour/m2 at
50 Pascals pressure differential.

Fixing
Expanding bolts or shot fired fixings must not be used.

Drainage
Hollow core concrete units can absorb rainfall whilst in storage and transport and/or
when unprotected on site, especially if the hollow cores are sealed or blocked at each
end. For this reason, it is usually essential that drain holes are formed in the factory to
all cores.

Wire patterns
Standard pre-stressed steel wire patterns can be accommodated by TermoDeck, but it
is still important that TermoDeck are informed of the wire patterns to be used.

Core infill
Any infill or plug, especially if made from a relatively wet mix, should be prevented from
slumping down the core before curing. Therefore, sacrificial support made from plastic
or polyurethane may be required.

Benefit
Repeat business
There are now 13 completed TermoDeck projects in the UK and six more under
construction.

Low energy consumption

Reduced energy consumption due to the
recovery of up to 90% of the heat from the
extract air stream.( See Figure 8).

Occupant satisfaction
1. Comfortable, stable temperatures all
year, with no draughts.
2. The fresh supply air is tempered via the
mass of the concrete slab before reaching
the diffusers, rather than modified with
expensive plant and then distributed to the
diffusers.
3. 100% fresh, filtered air is distributed, Figure 8 Energy consumption in several system, Source: Source:
well in excess of the recommended 8 liters Data build Report on Elizabeth Fry Building for DETR.
per second per person, lessening
drowsiness and body odors.
4. Occupied spaces are free of radiators and similar devices.
5. TermoDeck is visually unobtrusive, internally and externally, compared with other
heating/cooling systems.
6. Openable windows do not necessarily compromise the operation of the TermoDeck
system, enabling occupants to remain in contact with the outside.
7. Various options are available that respond to the different control requirements of
clients.

Low environmental impact

1. Reduced carbon dioxide
emissions.
2. Very quiet operation due to air
at low velocities passing through
hollow slabs, and the slabs
themselves acting as silencers
against noise from fans and
dampers, especially effective
within the 125 - 500Hz frequency
range.(See Figure 9).

Figure 9 Sound Proofing, Source: Tarmac, 2011

Design flexibility
1. Clear spans of up to 22 meters.
2. Room planning flexibility.
3. Visual unobtrusiveness of the system allows architects and interior designers more
scope within which to design and manipulate spaces and surfaces.
4. As radiators are eliminated, have more usable space.

Reduced capital costs

1. Standard precast modular
slabs help improve construction
times,
coupled
with
low
complexity of services.
2. Significant reduction in the
need for auxiliary fittings such as
cooling fans, refrigerators and
radiators, results in less plant
space (as a % of total building
floor area) compared with fully
air-conditioned buildings (See
Figure 10).
3. No need for suspended
ceilings.
4. Because there is no ceiling
void, it is possible to reduce storey
heights.

Figure 10 Thermal mass and its contribution to comfortable interior climatic

conditions, Source: Tarmac, 2001

Reduced running, operating and maintenance costs

1. No moving parts outside of plant room.
2. Commissioning period is short and uncomplicated, with fine tuning easily carried out.
3. Different zones within a building do not require separate air supply systems; the
same air supply duct can be used for all areas while relying on slab mass to modify air
temperature.
4. High thermal mass and heat transfer coefficient of slabs provide both radiant and
convective heating/cooling effects.
5. Cleaning access points allow clean and efficient air distribution to be maintained.
6. Significantly reduced running costs compared with buildings utilizing heating and air
conditioning plant (as low as 46%).
7. Significantly reduced maintenance costs compared with fully conditioned, or naturally
ventilated buildings (as low as 13% and 33% respectively).

Storage capacity of a hollow core concrete slab

The theoretical storage capacity of a 250-300 mm deep hollow core concrete slab is
around 100 Wh/m2, K depending on the size of the cores and if any structural screed is
used on top of the slab. With an increase in the average slab temperature of 3 oC this
would mean 300Wh, m2 which divided on 8 hours is 37 W/m2.
The heat transfer rate between the room air and the bare slab surface is around 8W/m2,
K. As you store heat both in the ceiling and in the floor slab you can store around 12 -14
W/m2, K in a room depending on ceiling and floor surfaces (which reduce the heat
transfer rate). A temperature difference of 2,5-3,0 oC between the room and the
floor/ceiling surfaces means that 30-42 W/m2 is possible to store in the floor and ceiling
slabs of a room. This corresponds well to the maximum theoretical storage capacity of a
hollow core slab. (Jhannesson (2007)).
From measurements and simulations it is verified that in the VHCS system, around 7075% of the heat gains are stored in the slabs in commercial and institutional buildings.
(Isflt (2001)).
In order to store this amount of energy in the concrete slabs, tight false ceilings such as
mineral boards cannot be used as that will reduce the storage capacity by 85-90%.
Thick carpets shall also be avoided. Linoleum carpets have a limited effect on the
storing capacity while wooden floors will reduce the storage effect by around 30-50%.
(Jhannesson (2007)).
In the theatre including VHCS systems false ceilings or acoustic panels have been used
for various reasons. By placing them in certain ways the storage effect is not hindered
very much at all: Place acoustical panels at a distance from the ceiling and from each
other, Hang the panels vertically, Put the panels around the perimeter of the slabs and
on the walls. Metal false ceilings (perforated or cylindrical) with openings of at least 40%
do not hinder the room air to convert on the slab surface. The performance of the VHCS
system has worked as expected in projects with false ceilings as above. (Hultqvist
(2008), Johansson (2005), Kendrick (1999)).

Simulation
A simulation at the Royal Institute of Technology
in Stockholm, using the BRIS simulation program,
compared three different cooling scenarios using
the supply air for ventilation and cooling. They
tried to achieve a max indoor temperature of 25,0
C. With ventilation on
08.00-17.00, 472 W of cooling was needed. With
ventilation on for 24 hours 127 W was needed.
With ventilation on for 24 hours and using a
VHCS system, no cooling was needed but the
indoor temperature was still lower than for the
two other cases. (Isflt (2001)).

Planning AND DESIGN Flexibility

The TermoDeck system provides a high degree of design flexibility, changing internal
room layouts is simple and inexpensive in a TermoDeck building. The system is an
integral part of the whole floor area, and so does not depend on the function of a
building, thereby allowing complete planning freedom. And could be completed before
final decisions are made on room layouts and/or before partitions are erected.
The diffusers for
the supply air can be
located at any point
in each slab,
(a) Generally, the
diffusers are placed
in the ceiling 1-2
meters in front of
windows to prevent
possible
downdraughts
and/or
clashing
with
Figure 11 single span example shown, Note: Diffusers at A can be pre-drilled then
partitions.
until required for, say, a new conference room. Use of diffusers atB
(b) If required, pre- sealed
discontinued if conference room formed. Summer day cooling phase is shown.
drilled and sealed Refer to Figure 3, Source: Tarmac, 2001
openings for the
future location of diffusers at mid span make it possible to locate conference rooms or
similar spaces in the centre of a building.
(c) Diffusers may also be located to supply air from the floor surface or via a raised
access floor acting as a plenum.

Performance Data: Costs and Energy Consumption

Although the capital cost of a building using the
TermoDeck system is greater than a naturally
ventilated building, the annual running and
maintenance costs are the lowest of all the systems
compared. (Refer to Figure 12 and 13)

Figure 13 Annual running and maintenance costs, Source: Tarmac, 2001

Figure 12 Capital cost indices, Source: Tarmac,

2001

Life cycle costs (over a

25-year
period)
undertaken in the report
further indicate that the
TermoDeck
system
compares very favorably
with
the
cheapest
solution (the naturally
ventilated building) as
shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14 Life cycle costs over 25-year period, Source: Tarmac, 2001

Operational experience of TermoDeck buildings in Europe, showed energy consumption

for heat and ventilation of between 30 to 50 kWh/m2 per year. This is considerably
lower than buildings with conventional heating and ventilation systems, and less than
half the good practice, air conditioned, open-plan building.

TermoDeck Systems
A building using the TermoDeck
system will typically generate a 3
to 4 degree temperature swing
throughout the day. Spread over
a working period of eight hours or
more, in traditional air conditioned
buildings, temperatures are kept
to within plus/ minus 1C.
Precise controlling of internal
temperatures as found in an airconditioned system, will not allow the efficient exploitation of the slow release of stored
surplus heat because the inherent characteristic of a TermoDeck building is to respond
to changes over days, not minutes. Tight fitting false ceilings would similarly
compromise the inherent benefits of the TermoDeck system.
The system does not require elaborate primary air distribution ductwork, and enables
the flexible location or relocation of internal partitions.
The TermoDeck system is available as several options to suit the varying demands of
climate, air quality and noise protection as perceived by different clients.

Option 1
The
Basic
System

TermoDeck

This system using forced, fresh

air, consists of air handling
units, distribution ducts with
connections and dampers in
such spaces as corridors, and
diffusers in the ceiling close to Figure 15 Basic TermoDeck system, Source: Tarmac, 2001
windows and/ or external walls.
The main difference is that in the TermoDeck system, the ducts are connected to the
cores in the slabs rather than to the diffusers in the corridor walls.

Option 2
TermoDeck with Mechanical Cooling
Using a plain direct expansion (DX) unit the supply air is cooled to say 15C or to a
maximum of 10C below ambient (to reduce peak cooling duty).

Option 3
TermoDeck
Cooling

with

Evaporative

TermoDeck can be combined with

evaporative
cooling
which
uses
humidifiers to bring down the exhaust
air temperature.

Option 4
TermoDeck
Ventilation

with

Displacement

Figure 16 TermoDeck and evaporative cooling effect, Source: Tarmac,

2001

Displacement ventilation is very effective for rooms

that have high internal heat emissions and/or occupant
densities such as those found in lecture theatres (Acts
as a plenum). Displacement ventilation can be used
with options 1, 2 and 3.

Option 5
TermoDeck with Switch-flow
This system provides adjustment to individual room
temperature and can be used in conjunction with
options 2 and 3. The system is regulated by a switch
unit that incorporates a change-over damper to reroute supply air. When a room has to be cooled, the
air supply route through the hollow slabs is channeled
directly to the core.
The switch-flow system is based upon cooling the
slab during non-working hours plus the possibility of
direct cooling during working hours.
Figure 17 Basic flow
Figure 18 Switch-flow,
Source: Tarmac, 2001

Figure 19 Typical
temperature curves with
and without switch-flow

Control
When TermoDeck are satisfied that the
installed control strategy is fully specification
compliant, remote monitoring of the BMS will
begin for a period of up to two years.
The three key elements of control (using the
Elizabeth Fry Building as an example)
The building uses:

1. TermoDeck treated Hollow core units

These provide thermal storage at room
temperature, cooling without refrigeration and
ventilation without recirculation.

2. Low energy air handling units

These help maintain the TermoDeck units at a relatively even temperature by using a
heat exchanger (reversing generator shown) to transfer up to 90% of the heat energy
from exhaust air to supply air.

3.
Building
energy
management system
This integrates and controls
the TermoDeck units, the air
handling units and the other
building
services.
Continuous
performance
monitoring
allows
adjustment and fine tuning
to further reduce building
energy use.

These three elements combined with

good insulation, encapsulating thermally
heavy walls, low air infiltration and
reduced solar gain produce year round
positive control, comfortable conditions
without refrigeration, high air quality and
very low energy use.
Figure 20 Illustration courtesy of ECE and ECS (Anglia) Ltd.

Examples of the control modes of a low energy air handling unit

Figure 21 Mode 2: Recirculation

Recycling internal heat gains and equalizing temperatures
of internal spaces while building unoccupied. Or when
building is occupied, CO2 sensors indicating acceptable
levels.
Figure 22 Mode 1: Shut off, shut down,
standby. Establishing stored heat balance
within set limits while building unoccupied.
Minimum energy used.

Figure 23 Mode 3: Free cooling

Stage 1 cooling using free outside air. 100% fresh
air supply and extract. Cooling of building mass at
night or cooling of occupied space during day. 100%
discharge of humidity gain.

Figure 24 Modes 4/5: Cycling for recovery phases 1 and 2

Stage 1 heating or stage 2 cooling. 100% fresh air supply.
Recycling 85% to 95% of internal heat gains originally
stored from extract air.
Recycling 40% maximum of humidity gain and
discharging remainder. The dampers alternate between
phase 1 and phase 2 positions at 60 second intervals
when required. When external sensors indicate that
cycling is not required, dampers stay in their current
positions.

Conclusion
TermoDeck is a system that provides comfort conditions in a building by combining a
mechanical ventilation system with the thermal mass inherent in hollow core floor slabs to
offset the thermal loads generated within a building.
The basic principle of this system is to force the ventilation air pass through the hollow core
passages (at around 1 m/s) in the pre-cast concrete roof or slabs. The heat exchange
between air and the slab is enhanced by this extended air pathway. Thus, the thermal
storage potential in the building fabric and the air ventilation system could be best coupled,
significantly reducing or even eliminating the reliance on the traditional air-conditioning
systems. The summer and winter functioning principles of this TermoDeck system are the
same as the foregoing ways of releasing the daytime stored excess heat. However, with this
enhanced TermoDeck system, the pre-cooling or pre-heating with stored thermal energy for
the beginning of next daytime can also be possible.
In winter heat gains from occupants are absorbed by the exposed concrete during the day
and reradiated at night. In summer the absorbed heat is rejected outside the building by
running the fans at night, so enabling the concrete to give the impression of radiating
cooling energy the next day. There are extremely high levels of insulation and air tightness.
As a result, desired room temperature can be provided, and constant fresh air supplied,
without noise or draught. The air comes into the room via diffusers near the external walls at
approximately the same temperature as the room temperature.
The construction time for a pre-fabricated building can be
reduced by up to 30% compared to a conventional
concrete building. There is also a reduction in capital cost
due to a reduction in fans, chillers, ducts and radiators (in
hot climates 40-50%). Furthermore, there is no need for
suspended ceilings. There is no need for a ceiling void and
therefore the storey heights may be reduced by 15- 25%
per floor.
TermoDeck projects in Europe showed that the system
could have up to 40% lower energy consumption for
heating compared to equally sized conventional buildings
(installations in Middle East have resulted 15.30 % lower
bills for electricity). Also repeat business, low
environmental impact and occupant satisfaction are
another benefit of TermoDeck.

Figure 25 reduced story heights, Source:

Eco Structures and TermoDeck

Another factors contributing to reduce costs for the whole life cycle of a building using the
TermoDeck system follows:
Slab, duct and diffuser layouts allow possibility of conversions and interior alterations
Low maintenance because of simpler controls and equipment
Low U-values of the building envelope..
Efficient heat reclamation.

References
A. Engstrm, L-O. Andersson, n.d. Energy storage in concrete slabs reduce energy consumption
and peak cooling loads at no increase in capital costs, Sweden: TermoDeck International Ltd.
Andersson L.O., Bernander K.G., Isflt E. & Rosenfeld A.H. (1979). Storage of Heat and Coolth in
Hollow Core Concrete Slabs. Swedish Experience and Application to Large, American-Style
Buildings. Report LBL-8913 Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California.
Case Study, Termodeck, 2010, Nottingham: Tarmac Building Product.
TermoDeck, Recommended Specification for Non-Domestic Building 2010 Part L2A,2011, UK:
TermoDeck.
TermoDeck,July 2011 Derbyshire, UK: Tarmac.
Resource Smart Business, Australia: Sustainability Victoria.
Topfloor from Tarmac, September 2007, Derbyshire: Tarmac.
Aschehoug, ., November 2009. Expert Guilde, Part 2 Responsive Building Elements, Norway:
International Energy Agency.
Hitchin, R., 2011. Summer comfort and Cooling: UK Regulation and Policy, UK: BRE.
Jacobs, J.-P., April 2007. Concrete for energy efficient building, The benefit of thermal mass,
Belgium: European Concrete Platform.
Hultqvist, J.. (2008 &
fastighetskontor.

2009).

Energy

Consumption

Report.

Gislaveds

kommuns

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