Emission control for TABS (cooling mode)

What is emission control for TABS in cooling mode?

A thermally active building system, abbreviated as TABS, uses the mass of floors, ceilings or walls to cool a building. Water circulates through pipes in the concrete and absorbs heat from the space.

Service C-1b from the Cooling domain of the Smart Readiness Indicator assesses how automatically this cooling process is controlled. This service only applies under the extended method B, which includes 54 smart-ready services, and not under the shorter method A.

What functionality levels are there?

The Smart Readiness Indicator distinguishes four levels for this service. Each level represents a step in automation and refinement of the control system.

• Level 0: no automatic control.
• Level 1: central automatic control.
• Level 2: advanced central automatic control.
• Level 3: advanced central automatic control with intermittent operation or feedback based on room temperature.

At level 3, the system responds to the actual temperature in the space. This can reduce energy consumption because cooling is activated only when needed.

Why does this service count toward the score?

Every smart-ready service is assessed against seven impact criteria, such as energy efficiency and comfort. The functionality level of service C-1b contributes to the score of the Cooling domain within the Smart Readiness Indicator.

Because TABS responds slowly due to the large thermal mass of the building system, good emission control is important. Without feedback, a space can become too cold or too warm before the system adjusts.