Sensitivity analysis on daylighting and energy performance of perimeter offices with automated shading

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive global uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of daylighting and energy performance for private offices with automated interior roller shades using an advanced integrated thermal and lighting simulation model. The purpose was to identify the more important factors with respect to building thermal and lighting energy performance so as to facilitate decision making in building design stage and simplify further investigation such as optimization analysis. Seven studied parameters were selected: window-to-floor ratio, shading transmittance, shading front and back reflectance, space aspect ratio, insulation thermal resistance and glazing type. The performance metrics include useful daylight illuminance (500–2000lux), annual lighting, heating and cooling demand per unit floor area and annual source energy consumption per unit floor area. The uncertainty analysis is based on the Monte Carlo method with Latin Hypercube Sampling, showing the possible ranges in these performance indices. The sensitivity analysis uses a variance-based method in the extended FAST implementation. Application of the analysis to perimeter private office spaces for the climate of Philadelphia showed the first order and total order effects of each studied parameter to determine the building parameters that have the most significant impact. Results are presented for different facade orientations.