Gymnasium and energy efficiency: more than 55% savings with Zehnder radiant panels

After one year, the first assessment of the energy sobriety plan initiated by the Ministry of Sports shows that, on the heating side of infrastructures, 88% of those involved have already made savings by degrading comfort by reducing the temperature of gymnasiums by -2° and private sports halls. However, from January 01, 2024, the Climate & Resilience law will require local authorities to go even further in reducing the energy consumption of their real estate assets for tertiary use. In this context and taking into account the increase in energy costs, it is essential to choose efficient systems, combining economy, comfort and air quality, to heat the existing or future gymnasiums.

Knowing that this market represents a significant part of Zehnder's radiant panel activity, mainly new, the company wanted to entrust the independent thermal design office TRIBU ENERGIE with an analysis to prove the relevance of this solution. This certifies that the brand's radiant panels, associated with a renewable energy generator of the air/water heat pump type, offer more than 55% energy savings and thus constitute the most favorable solution both in terms of comfort and cost than consumption compared to other systems.

A study based on the energy comparison of different systems

To measure the performance of Zehnder's radiant panels in gymnasiums, four types of emitters were evaluated over one year, from a modeled building benefiting from two distinct levels of insulation (new and renovation), and located in two localities with opposite weather conditions (Paris and Marseille):

• Zehnder radiant panels associated with a heat pump,
• Zehnder radiant panels and gas boiler,
• radiant tubes,
• gas unit heaters,
• water unit heaters and gas boiler.

The comparisons focused on 3 elements:

• energy efficiency: final energy consumption,
• carbon footprint of energy consumption,
• the overall cost (investment, maintenance and energy consumption).

Results largely in favor of Zehnder radiant panels whatever the generator

Energy efficiency and carbon footprint: up to 55% energy savings

Whether connected to a boiler or a heat pump, the study shows that Zehnder radiant panels provide maximum energy savings, regardless of the area or date of construction of the gymnasium. From an environmental point of view, they also constitute the most favorable solution. Indeed, the carbon impact of energy consumption is lower than other common heating systems such as radiant tubes, using gas as energy.

Overall cost: 50% savings compared to radiant tubes and 30% compared to water heaters

Without the need for maintenance (no filters to replace or fans to maintain) and with lower energy consumption, radiant panels, associated with a heat pump or a gas boiler, have an overall cost much lower than other heating systems. heating used in gymnasiums. The return on investment is achieved after 3 years.

Zehnder's ZFP and ZIP radiant panels, a host of advantages for sports halls

Powered by hot or cooled water in summer, the radiant panels diffuse heat by radiation uniformly and without air movement, which limits heat loss linked to the stratification phenomenon and guarantees the thermal comfort of occupants. .

Beyond the economic advantages reported by the study, they offer a range of benefits:

• Thermal comfort: uniform distribution of heat or coolness and responsiveness to changes in temperature and occupancy.
• Acoustic comfort: silent operation and sound absorption in perforated version.
• Air quality preserved: without air mixing, they do not displace any dust, VOCs, or bacteria.
• Aesthetics and modularity: space saving on the floor and wall, space layout without constraints. Possibility of integrating lighting or ball guards.
• Easy implementation: easy integration and assembly, no maintenance.