Abstract
The global increase in energy needs and environmental awareness for a more efficient energy use have boosted building rehabilitation to decrease energy consumption. The installation of solar control films (SCFs) in buildings with large glazing façades makes it possible to reduce excessive solar gains through the glazing. The main purpose of the work is to assess, with field experimental data, the thermal and luminous performances of double-glazing units with SCFs installed in office rooms, in Lisbon. An experimental campaign was carried out simultaneously in three adjacent offices: one with a highly reflective SCF (external installation), one with a reflective SCF (internal installation) and one without an SCF. The exterior SCF showed the best thermal performance with reductions in the peak indoor air temperature of up to 6.9 and 2.3 °C during the representative days of the heating and cooling periods, respectively, increasing thermal comfort mainly during the cooling period. The interior SCF had a poorer thermal performance since it contributed to solar radiation absorption that is then emitted as heat into the indoor environment, increasing the greenhouse effect of the office. The presence of SCFs reduced the indoor illuminance levels, having a positive impact on thermal comfort and glare reduction in the cooling period.
Highlights
Accepted: 27 February 2021Glazing systems, as transparent elements of a building’s envelope, can have a positive or negative impact on the thermal and luminous qualities of buildings depending on the design and desired indoor comfort conditions
Measurements were taken during weekdays to make it possible to assess the indoor environment of the offices in actual occupancy conditions
Experimental measurements were taken during weekends, in a free-float temperature regime, making it easier to Experimental measurements during working hours of days when the variable refrigerant volume (VRV) unit was turned on and off were taken from the data collected in order to assess the hygrothermal and visual performances of the offices
Summary
As transparent elements of a building’s envelope, can have a positive or negative impact on the thermal and luminous qualities of buildings depending on the design and desired indoor comfort conditions Glazing systems make it possible to benefit from solar heat gains and daylight, other than providing occupants a view of the outdoor environment. Commercial ones, are built with high window to wall ratios, having in mind potential energy savings in artificial lighting, apart from the esthetic design [5,6,7,8] This architectural trend can lead to indoor thermal and luminous discomfort conditions that are more severe in countries with a very contrasting difference between the heating and cooling seasons, such as Portugal that has a Mediterranean climate [9,10,11]. While not requiring façade alteration, SCFs can act as a refurbishment solution and contribute to the improvement of the luminous, thermal and energy performances of buildings
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