A Study of Vertical Shading Devices for Daylighting on East Façade of Buildings in Tropical Region

Abstract

This paper reports a simulation study on the application of shading devices for daylighting on the east facade of the building in the tropical region. BESim was applied as the simulation program to calculate illuminance on the workplane and cooling energy consumption. Multiple vertical shading devices with an additional horizontal slat were used to improve the energy efficiency of the building. On another case, instead of the shading application, wall insulation was utilized in order to minimize the heat gain. The determination of proper vertical slat angle, daylight penetration depth, lighting arrangement, energy consumption, and payback period are the specific objectives of this study. It was found that the enrgy consumption, combination of lighting and air conditioner, could be saved 42% by the application of daylighting. Roughly, it was achieved by 40% area of window relative to the wall on the large room. The additional cost of shading devices and insulation would recover less than two years.