Abstract
The present study sets out to review the thermal and optical properties of electrochromic windows (ECWs) through an analysis of the improvement in the energy performance of a building resulting from their application. The performance analysis was based on the change in the room temperature according to the solar transmittance and the orientation of the ECWs, the energy consumptions of the building’s heating/cooling systems, and that of the building’s lighting according to the visible light transmittance (VLT). To achieve this, the Quick Energy Simulation Tool (eQUEST), a building energy interpretation program, was used. The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of the ECWs was found to be significantly reduced. This had the effect of lowering the room temperature in summer, such that the effect on the summer cooling energy consumption was also remarkable. However, with a reduction in the VLT, the lighting energy consumption increased. The net result of the changes in the heating/cooling and lighting energy consumptions was a reduction of about 11,207 kWh/yr (8.89%). The ECWs were found to realize a greater reduction in a building’s energy consumption than was possible with windows glazed with low-E coated glass.
Highlights
The amount of energy consumed by buildings constitutes 36% of total global energy consumption [1]
A low shading coefficient (SC) causes the cooling energy consumption to be reduced in the summer, but the heating energy consumption will increase in the winter
Regardless of the window type, the annual solar transmittance varies according to the orientation of the windows, in descending order of south–west–east–north
Summary
The amount of energy consumed by buildings constitutes 36% of total global energy consumption [1]. [4] stated that windows could act as a mediator capable of reducing the load on the building and improving the indoor environment by either allowing or blocking the passing of solar radiation Window technologies such as dye-sensitized solar cells, building-integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV), and solar-control windows as well as high-efficiency window technologies have been developed. There is a need to determine the thermal and optical properties of a building resulting from the application of ECWs. Given that ECWs can flexibly control the amount of solar radiation passing through them, there is a need to study how they affect the energy performance of a building. The results of any such analysis would be expected to confirm the energy-saving effects of implementing ECWs in future building envelopes, based on their orientation and the schedule devised for their operation
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