Experimental study of a new space heating system combining Chinese Kang and solar energy

In the present work, a new space heating system has been designed and experiments have been conducted on its performance .The new system consists of a solar Kang system and solar air heaters for room heating. Kang is a kind of heatable brick bed. The solar Kang is heated by circulating hot water which is provided by solar collector. The experiments are conducted in a family house in Qinghai province in the north-west of China. Three different working modes have been tested. 1, Solar Kang working alone. 2, Solar air heaters. 3, Solar Kang and Solar air heaters combined. Kang is heated by circulating hot water from 21:30 to 9:00. The air vents of solar air heaters are open from 9:30 to 16:50 in the afternoon. Results show that the surface of the Kang can maintain a temperature range from 27℃ to 38℃ during its working hours. The solar Kang can perfectly meet the demand of thermal comfort in the sleeping hours. The performance of air heaters is less ideal. The average air temperature in the room is 8.7℃ during the day, 4℃ higher than the reference room, 4℃ higher than environment temperature.