Modelling of an energy-efficient open double-glazing unit for the main climatic conditions of Mexico

Abstract

The annual thermal evaluation of an open double-glazing unit (ODGU) is presented. The ODGU was modelled using two double-glazing configurations: DCC (clear glass + air + clear glass) and DCA (clear glass + air + absorbent glass). Numerical simulations were performed for the warmest design-day on each month of 2016 in four different climatic conditions in Mexico. The pseudo-transient simulations were carried out using an in-house code based on the finite volume method. To obtain the results, 5856 computational runs were necessary. From the results, the DCA configuration was observed to show the best thermal performance to reduce heat flux that passes through the inside space in the extreme warm dry climate with average reductions of 97 W/m2, followed by the semi-arid climate with 84 W/m2 and the tropical wet and dry climate with 82 W/m2 on a yearly basis. On an annual average, the DCA configuration in the extreme warm dry climate reached almost twice the mass flow rates than those observed in the temperate climate. From the numerical simulations, we have concluded that the use of the low-cost DCA configuration in warm climates was the best solar passive strategy for saving energy in buildings throughout the year.