How is condensation controlled in a high humidity environment?
Outdoor air is pre-conditioned and dehumidified by the Dedicated outside Air System unit (D.O.A.S). The building is maintained at a slight positive pressure with respect to the outside to control infiltration of humid air. Once the dehumidified air is in the space, the dew point is monitored and chilled ceiling is controlled to remain above the dew point.

What if a pipe leaks?
Leaking pipes or fittings are not a problem. It is very simple to repair the leaks. First run the water through the mats in order to see a wet spot on the drywall or plaster. Open this damaged areas, than fused the piping on both sides. This will not affect the capacity for cooling or heating.

What is the pressure loss of KaRo capillary piping?
Despite their thinness, KaRo mats have a very little loss of pressure. The water in KaRo system runs through many parallel tubes rather than running through just one tube, as compared to thick tubes. The average velocity through capillary tubes is only 10 to 20 cm/second, thus the pressure drop is very low. The velocity in the capillary tubes is always laminar. The tubes are tested at a pressure of 20 bar.

What happens to indoor air quality?
Indoor air quality improves as cooling and heating by KaRo systems incorporates dedicated Outside Air System. This is 100% outside air with no re-circulation of indoor air, thus spreading of odors and other airborne contaminants is avoided.

What about Radiant Asymmetry?
Radiant asymmetry does not reach uncomfortable levels for cooled ceilings for temperature difference below 18 °F.

What type of buildings can this be used?
This system can be installed in any type of building. This system is best suited for commercial and institutional buildings. With the ventilation system (D.O.A.S.) controlling the humidity of the supply air, a hydronic radiant system can be installed independent of the outside climate.

What about the operating cost?
Thermal energy can be transported through pipes with little pump power, saving approximately 70 to 80% of the fan power normally used to condition the building. This alone reduces the peak-power of the air conditioning system by about 30 to 45%. See www.doas.psu.edu

Construction/Installation cost
Although the cost associated with the material and labor may be slightly higher than the forced air system, there are other significant savings that should be taken into consideration. Due to reduction in the air volume, the size of the ductwork is greatly reduced. This means that plenum height could be reduced by approximately one foot per floor. The reduction in plenum height can be translated into a reduction in overall building height, thus reducing the construction cost of the building.

Why are KaRo capillary tubes better than other systems?
KaRo capillary tubes are made of polypropylene material. All fittings are also made out of the same material. All pipes and fittings are fused togather in the field, so soldering is not required. Because the KaRo tubes are only 1/16" thick and spaced about ½ inch apart, thus the cooling and heating is even. Our capillary tubes have been proven very successful in an European market.

Does KaRo systems provide complete system?
As a KaRo partner, Radiant Cooling Corporation (RCC) will sell KaRo capillary tubes along with the design, equipment selection, energy study, payback and installation of the complete system.

What is the cooling capacity of the chilled ceiling?
The chilled ceiling can provide capacity up to 25 btu/sq.ft. This capacity is generally sufficient if the project is designed based on green energy concepts. Most architects are familiar with green energy design.

Can your system be used in existing Building?
Yes. In fact this will be better system as it uses very little ceiling space. KaRo mats can be applied to the existing ceiling as it only lowers the ceiling by 1 inch. Main supply and return piping can be installed in crown molding or 2 x 4 wall space to avoid any extensive work.

Is KaRo system installed in USA?
We have a demonstration home done by the college of Architectural and Environmental Design at Arizona State University

Do you provide the sub-stations?
Yes. We will provide the sub-stations which consist of pump, valves, expansion tank, heat exchanger, piping and all associated controls based on the load and zone distribution requirements.

Do you provide engineering services?
Yes. We have in-house engineering personal and we can provide design, drafting and an energy study for radiant cooling and radiant heating. We will need architectural drawings in order to provide estimate for our services.

Do you provide estimating services?
Yes, we will provide cost estimate for our product. Any additional service required will be provided based on customer requirements..

Is there a problem with corrosion or oxidation?
None. Pipes and fittings are made out of polypropylene (plastic). Also heating water is at a low temperature (around 103° F for heating and 62° F for cooling), so corrosion and oxidation does not take place.

How quick is the KaRo ceiling reacting?
KaRo cooling is fast reacting. After just a few minutes, the KaRo ceiling begins to cool the room effectively. This is brought about by the very small amount of water in the capillary tubes and the positioning of the KaRo amts closely to the surface. In addition, KaRo ceiling is able to regulate itself quite well.

How does radiant cooling work?
Radiant cooling follows the same principles as radiant heating. The heat transfer occurs between the space and the capillary tubes through a temperature differential. However, like radiant heating, the colder ceiling absorbs the thermal energy radiating from people and their surroundings. The major difference between cooled ceiling and cooling by air is the energy transport mechanism. Cooling by air uses convection only, whereas cooled ceiling uses a combination of radiation and convection. This amount of radiated heat transfer can be as high as fifty five percent, while convection accounts for the remainder. With cold ceilings, the radiated heat transfer occurs through a net emission of electromagnetic waves from the warm occupants and their surroundings to the cool ceiling. On the other hand, convection first cools the room air due to contact with the cold ceiling, creating convection currents within the space which transfers the heat from its source to the ceiling where it is absorbed.

Will your system cost more than the conventional system?
A general perception exist that replacing one system with two parallel systems, Radiant ceiling and Dedicated Outside Air System with a latent cooling will cost more.

ASHRAE Journal 43 "Ceiling Panel Cooling System" list nine categories of building mechanical system and overall building reduced by Radiant Ceiling and D.O.A.S.

1. Reduced chiller tonnage
2. Reduced chiller capacity
3. Reduced condenser pump capacity
4. Reduced ductwork size and cross section
5. Smaller air distribution plenums and thermal boxes
6. Reduced Air handler size
7. Reduced electrical service in line with reduced peak chiller, blower & pump
8. More "rentable space" due to smaller equipments
9. Reduced total floor height by minimum of 12" per floor.

Is this a proven technology?
Cooling by Capillary Tubes is not new to the HVAC industry. KaRo product is used all over Europe since last fifteen years. Many commercial and institutional projects are done using KaRo capillary tubes. See www.beka-klima.de for list of completed projects.

Why KaRo mats are in the ceiling?
As it often asked, why put cooling mats in the ceiling? Heat rises, doesn't it?. The answer is no, heat does not rise. Warm air rises. The KaRo mats are placed in the ceiling because heating and cooling is most effective without creating interference to all the objects. Also usually more area is available for KaRo mats.

Is this product recyclable?
Yes. KaRo Mats can easily be removed and reinstalled for new application.

How much will it cost for residential?
The capillary tubes (material only) for drywall/plaster or concrete is around $ 6.00/sq.ft. Additional $ 6.00 to $ 8.00/sq.ft. will be for chiller, boiler, DOAS system, sub-station and installation.

How much will it cost for commercial?
The capillary tubes (material only) for drywall/plaster or concrete is around $ 6.00/sq.ft.( same as residential ). 2 x 2 or 2 x 4 metal ceiling panels will be around $12.00 to $ 14.00/sq.ft. Additional $ 8.00/sq.ft. will be for chiller, boiler, DOAS system, sub-station and installation.