Thermal Comfort
Creating environments that increase wellbeing and energy savings on board.
Maintaining a comfortable, balanced environment
Describing the satisfactory perception of a thermal environment in which we feel comfortable, thermal comfort is essential to create pleasant living and working spaces for passengers and crew members. Maintaining a constant temperature and humidity level also reduces the risk of condensation, and therefore corrosion, and keeps equipment and machinery working at its best.
Thermal comfort can be influenced by different factors including:
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Air temperature: relatively easy to change with passive and mechanical heating and cooling
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Mean radiant temperature: weighted average temperature of all exposed surfaces in a room
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Air velocity (or air flow): speed and direction of the air movements in the room
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Humidity (or relative humidity): moisture content of the air
Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will, of course, have a major impact on thermal comfort. However, carefully choosing materials for your insulation, flooring and glazing can further increase the level of comfort, while also generating significant energy savings.
How can thermal comfort reduce your energy consumption?
A ship’s HVAC represents up to 35% of its entire energy consumption. Efficient insulation, flooring and glazing reduce heat transfer, helping maintain a constant temperature. This means you don’t need to heat or cool the interior spaces as much – or you can even install a smaller HVAC system.
Choosing your marine thermal flooring
Thermal flooring is designed to improve comfort in living quarters. Ensuring even heat distribution, it can keep the room up to 2°C warmer. Thermal floor products, like Weber Marine Thermofloor, reduce the likelihood of encountering problems caused by humidity, condensation and freezing, while also meeting all current regulations for electrical installations.
Why is marine thermal insulation so important?
Thermal insulation reduces the transfer of heat between an object and its environment. It can create a more comfortable work and living space, stop heat from radiating from high-temperature equipment and maintain cold temperatures in container ships. Opting for solutions with superior thermal insulation properties, like ULTIMATE™ mineral wool, for your walls and ducts not only increases passenger comfort but also reduces your operating costs. For the same thickness, U SeaProtect products achieve equivalent or better thermal insulation than stone wool products, while being up to 40% lighter.
How can your glazing optimize energy costs?
Glass can play a key role in reducing energy costs by helping control the ambient temperature and limit the weight of your vessel. Certain glass coatings offer a tinted appearance that provides a certain level of thermal control, reduces reflection levels and increases privacy. Electronically tintable glass, like SageGlass®, can be silently tinted and made clear again either automatically or manually at the touch of a button. Providing reliable year-round indoor comfort with a clear view to the outdoors, the glass blocks up to 91% of solar heat and prevents glare without the need for blinds or shades – while also dramatically reducing your energy demand and the need for HVAC.
Why is it so important to insulate your HVAC and cold-water pipes?
It is essential to keep the temperature in cold water pipes within the defined range to avoid the risk of corrosion. With superior insulating properties and an in-built vapour barrier, Kaiflex® contributes to a constant temperature that prevents the condensation that, over time, can lead to corrosion. The cold-water pipe insulation also enhances acoustic comfort by reducing noise caused by water hissing when showering or washing hands.
Optimise thermal comfort throughout your vessel
Thermal marine insulation
ISOVER
The U SeaProtect range offers excellent thermal insulation through a wide temperature range for enhanced thermal comfort in any weather conditions.
KAIMANN
Prevent the spread of flames, hot gases and radiant heat with fire-resistant glass solutions from B0-B30, A0-A60 to H120, in compliance with FTP regulations.
Marine thermal flooring
Weber
As well as heating the floor and improving thermal comfort, Weber Marine Thermofloor also helps prevents humidity, condensation and freezing.
Marine thermal glazing
VETROTECH
Vetrotech coatings for glazing help maintain comfortable temperatures on board and can be applied to cabin windows, balcony doors and public spaces.
SAGE GLASS
The SageGlass Marine range protects passengers from excessive solar heat and ensures a comfortable interior environment on board.
Beyond thermal comfort
As well as optimising thermal comfort, you also get many other benefits when you choose Saint-Gobain Marine. Lightweight insulation not only limits heat transfer but also can protect your vessel if there is a fire. Electrochromic glass keeps heat in, while also making your vessel lighter and reducing emissions.