Energy Demand Reduction Applying Different Window Areas and Performance Glasses in Brazil

MARLON LEÃO; VOLKER HUCKEMANN; MANFRED N. FISCH; ÉRIKA B. LEÃO; ERNESTO KUCHEN

Dublin

Congreso; PLEA 2008 – 25th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture; 2008

University College Dublin

The heat gains and daylight transmitted through the windows influence directly the building energy demand. High performance glasses when correctly specified produce a great potential of energy savings, using daylight efficiently and controlling heat gains or losses. In Brazil, the no application of high performance glasses associated with large glazing areas has been showing as unsatisfactory results concerning energy efficiency. This article assesses the energy savings potential that can be achieved by using correctly the glasses on buildings facades. Applying the Light Design and Ideal Window Area methodologies, window areas as a function of different types of high performance glasses are simulated in TRNSYS program. The simulations are run for twelve cities in Brazil, in one of those cities, Cuiabá (-15° 35´ 46´´), the energy demand as a function of floor ratios and space dimensions is assessed. An approach into the DIN1946-2 is demonstrated, this norm allows increasing internal temperature limits, when the outside temperature exceed the 26°C. The results show a reduction on energy cooling demand keeping the PMV and PPD under certain acceptable limits. The annual results of hourly simulations display the building energy demand as a function of window area, glass type, window wall ratio, room ratio and size. The results evaluated under the energy efficiency perspective only are confronted with the problems and requirements of holistic literature.