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Evaluating the Effect of Window-to-Wall Ratios on Cooling-Energy Demand on a Typical Summer Day

Author

Listed:
  • Jiayu Li

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Bohong Zheng

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Komi Bernard Bedra

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Zhe Li

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Xiao Chen

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Art Design, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

Abstract

The window-to-wall ratio (WWR) significantly affects the indoor thermal environment, causing changes in buildings’ energy demands. This research couples the “Envi-met” model and the “TRNSYS” model to predict the impact of the window-to-wall ratio on indoor cooling energy demands in south Hunan. With the coupled model, “Envi-met + TRNSYS”, fixed meteorological parameters around the exterior walls are replaced by varied data provided by Envi-met. This makes TRNSYS predictions more accurate. Six window-to-wall ratios are considered in this research, and in each scenario, the electricity demand for cooling is predicted using “Envi-met + TRNSYS”. Based on the classification of thermal perception in south Hunan, the TRNSYS predictions of the electricity demand start with 30 °C as the threshold of refrigeration. The analytical results reveal that in a 6-storey residential building with 24 households, in order to maintain the air temperature below 30 °C, the electricity required for cooling buildings with 0% WWR, 20% WWR, 40% WWR, 60% WWR, 80% WWR, and 100% WWR are respectively 0 KW·h, 19.6 KW·h, 133.7 KW·h, 273.1 KW·h, 374.5 KW·h, and 461.9 KW·h. This method considers the influence of microclimate on the exterior wall and improves the accuracy of TRNSYS in predicting the energy demand for indoor cooling.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiayu Li & Bohong Zheng & Komi Bernard Bedra & Zhe Li & Xiao Chen, 2021. "Evaluating the Effect of Window-to-Wall Ratios on Cooling-Energy Demand on a Typical Summer Day," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8411-:d:611047
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hao Yang & Maoyu Ran & Chaoqun Zhuang, 2022. "Prediction of Building Electricity Consumption Based on Joinpoint−Multiple Linear Regression," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.

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