Dew point independent radiant ceiling panels.

A prefabricated hydronic radiant ceiling element that cools, heats, absorbs sound and, in the Climatelight version, lights the room. Chilled or warm water flows behind a vapor-tight membrane that is permeable to long-wave infrared radiation, so the panel exchanges heat with people and surfaces by thermal radiation. In research, the principle is known as membrane-assisted radiant cooling (MARC). Because room air never touches the cold surface, it can cool with water below the dew point of the room air.

A vapor-tight membrane is tensioned in front of the chilled surface. Room air does not reach the cold surface, so the water can run below the dew point of the room air. The membrane is permeable to thermal radiation, which is how the ceiling exchanges heat with people and surfaces in the room. The technology was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP; interpanel is the exclusive licensee.

No. The ceiling handles sensible heating and cooling only. Fresh air and latent load stay with the ventilation system or with window ventilation where that is permitted. What changes is that the ventilation no longer has to hold a low dew point just to protect the ceiling.

Yes. Our measurements come from a temperate climate in Germany: in the June 2026 heat wave near Mannheim, a dew-point-limited ceiling would have had to throttle or shut down in 83 % of the cooling hours. With 8 °C (46 °F) water instead of about 18 °C (64 °F), each panel delivers more capacity, rooms can be held at 21 to 22 °C (70 to 72 °F), and mixed-mode buildings with operable windows keep cooling without window contacts.

Conventional radiant ceilings have to stay above the room dew point, so on humid days they throttle or switch off, and the ventilation has to dry the room air far enough to protect them. Behind the membrane, interpanel can run chilled water at 8 °C (46 °F). The panels take the sensible load, while a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) handles fresh air and humidity at its own set point.

Yes. interpanel builds it as prefabricated radiant ceiling panels, based on technology developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP. The panels have been in operation in buildings for about ten years.

The membrane is stabilized and, like the whole element, designed for a service life of more than 25 years. It has been in operation in buildings for about ten years. Every component, including the membrane, can be replaced individually if ever required.

Yes. The same element cools with 8 to 12 °C (46 to 54 °F) chilled water and heats with 28 to 40 °C (82 to 104 °F) supply water. That makes it a natural partner for heat pumps, geothermal systems and free cooling.

Typically 20 to 35 % of the ceiling, depending on loads, solar protection and design conditions. At SICONA in Luxembourg, 48 elements cover about 21 % of the office floor area; the exposed timber ceiling stays visible.

The ceiling system itself has no wearing parts and needs no scheduled maintenance; it is designed for an expected service life of more than 25 years. Every component can be replaced individually if ever required. The chiller or heat pump is maintained as usual.

Yes, where the building permits it. No window contacts are needed to protect the ceiling. Fresh air and humidity remain part of the ventilation concept.

Both are possible. The hydronic concept and the control strategy are designed for each project.

At least 100 mm (3.9 in) of clear space above the panel. Suspended installations start at a total height of 200 mm (7.9 in).

Sprinklers can be integrated as an accessory, at the sides of the panel. The panels are classified B-s2,d0 to EN 13501-1.

Yes. The panels can be demounted without damage and reinstalled or reconfigured, for example when tenants change or a room is divided.

No. interpanel elements currently hold no US or Canadian listings such as UL or ETL. Requirements for a North American project are clarified case by case.