Enhancing building thermal performance in Saudi's extreme climates through reversible smart insulated window glazing: Laboratory-scale experiments

Abstract

The positioning and type of double-glazing layers effectively regulate heat gain and heat loss during both summer and winter seasons. This study aims to evaluate the thermal performance of the Reversible Smart Insulated Window Glazing (RSIWG) system in controlling solar heat gain in Saudi Arabia's extreme climates. Laboratory-scale experiments and analytical methods were employed to examine four glazing scenarios, each characterized by the positioning and states of the Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal within the insulated double-glazing system. The findings indicate that SIWG-colo significantly reduces heat gain by 26 % and 78 %, respectively, compared to double insulated glazing and clear glass, making it suitable for cooling seasons. On the other hand, SIWG-rev-colo exhibits slightly less heat loss, rendering it suitable for heating seasons, especially in situations where solar radiation is absent. The RSIWG system provides added advantages such as dynamic privacy protection, glare reduction, and flexibility in response to daylighting and outdoor connection. Further research is recommended on multi-layer PDLC incorporating vacuum glass.