Energy Consumptions and Daylight Illumination levels of a Multi-beded Patient Room according to the Window Shapes and Shading

Abstract

Window and shading designs have a great influence on energy consumption and daylighting in buildings. As far as energy is concerned, small window area is advantageous. But it is not good to the patient healing in hospital. So it is important to find out the optimum window shape which is favorable for both energy consumption and patient healing. In this study, annual energy consumption and daylight illumination levels were analyzed according to the window shapes and shading devices for a multi-beded patient room in hospitals. The simulations were conducted for 19 different cases by COMFEN 4.0 computer simulation program. The results of this paper are as follows. First, window to wall area ratio and shading devices have great influences on annual energy consumption. But it is a problem in that they decrease significantly daylight level in bed room. Second, considering the same energy consumption, reducing the width of window rather than the hight of window is desirable for the secure of daylight level. Third, increase of the number of horizontal shade is not desirable in south face of the building for the energy consumption and daylight level. Fourth, sun shade is not necessary in north face of the building for the energy consumption and daylight level.