The influence of the window in energy consumption A study in multi-family residential buildings

Filipe Galina Costalonga

Ana Karolina Marques de Oliveira

Edna Aparecida Nico-Rodrigues

Artur Moreira Rodrigues

ABSTRACT: The urbanized areas around the whole planet have grown increasingly and according to the United Nations, the expectation is that over 70 % of the population are located in the urban centers by 2050. This growing evolution of cities boosts the energy consumption in all productive sectors and it is expected a continue growth for the coming decades. The research analysed the thermal performance of a naturally ventilated environment with different windows models, considering the quantitative Thermal Discomfort Frequency FDT (Frequência de desconforto térmico) in relation to the kilowatt hour (kWh) consumption for cooling in multifamily dwellings, Vitória / ES. There were three methodological steps: firstly, it was set up the evaluation periods, the parameters of the american standard American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air conditioning Engineers ( ASHRAE 55 ), the model , characteristics and physical properties of materials, with the software Design Builder. In the second step simulations were performed and in the third step it was compared the FDT in relation to the energy consumption for cooling. The results obtained by Nico -Rodrigues methodology (2015) demonstrated that the consumption of kWh for the proposed window model is smaller than the most widely used model due to the use of natural ventilation as a cooling factor and also the use of shaders. The use of components that allowed the constant ventilation and the use of shaders on the window, were important factors on improving the thermal performance of the building, demonstrated by the decrease of 36.44% of the amount of kWh needed for cooling.

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