Glazing systems with Parallel Slats Transparent Insulation Material (PS-TIM): evaluation of building energy and daylight performance

Sun, Yanyi; Liang, Runqi; Wu, Yupeng; Wilson, Robin; Rutherford, Peter

Abstract

Being responsible for a significant proportion of total heat loss in façade dominated buildings, the design and specification of the envelope, particularly the building’s glazing system, is a key factor in determining overall energy consumption. To address this, an innovative double glazed façade system comprising parallel transparent/translucent plastic slats sandwiched between the glass panes to form a Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation Material (PS-TIM) system is proposed as a potential solution. This PS-TIM system reduces heat transfer between the glazing panes whilst maintaining access to solar radiation and daylight.

The presence of the PS-TIM structure significantly affects the thermal and optical performance of the window system in which it is employed. This presents a further significant challenge when trying to predict its performance using dynamic building simulation approaches. Using a typical small office as a case study subject to varying climatic conditions, we investigate the thermal and optical behaviour of a range of PS-TIMs with respect to their daylight and energy performance. We find that when compared to a conventional double glazed system, the application of PS-TIMs can result in a more visually comfortable and uniformly lit environment, which might be desired in an office space, and, in the specific case of the small office under test, can result in a reduction in energy consumption of up to 35.8%. Furthermore, having explored the performance of the system in response to varying climatic conditions, we also present some advice as to how architects and engineers might apply PS-TIMs to window systems or glazed façades.

Citation

Sun, Y., Liang, R., Wu, Y., Wilson, R., & Rutherford, P. (2018). Glazing systems with Parallel Slats Transparent Insulation Material (PS-TIM): evaluation of building energy and daylight performance. Energy and Buildings, 159, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.10.026

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 4, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 6, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 15, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 7, 2018
• Journal: Energy and Buildings
• Print ISSN: 0378-7788
• Electronic ISSN: 1872-6178
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 159
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.10.026
• Keywords: Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation Materials (PS-TIM); Building Simulation; EnergyPlus; RADIANCE
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/904939
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037877881732008X