In preparation of the implementation of the Energy Performanceof Buildings Directive (EPBD) the responsibleGerman Ministry has undertaken several actions includingthe developmentof a new energy performance calculationprocedure for non-residential buildings (DIN V 18599) and two field tests for the certificationof residential and non-residential buildings.This paper presents the main results of the evaluation of the field tests concerning the form and acceptance of the certificate,the necessary expertise of the issuers, the durationof the work, possible simplifications, etc.The second half o
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the design strategies for improving the summer thermal comfort conditions in a low-energy residential building located near Rome. The evaluated strategies include the natural air-flows through the windows: a) opening of windows for 24 hours and b) opening of windows during night hours only. The evaluations have been carried out by means of simulations using EnergyPlus building energy simulation programme.
In Asian countries under sultry climatic conditions includingJapan, natural ventilation and cross-ventilation at nighttime give very good effects on the improvement of physical conditions of the residents and on the coolingof the buildings in intermediate and summer seasons.However, a densely populated urban area such as Tokyo, sufficient ventilation flow rate may not be necessarily maintained because the distances between neighboring houses are shorter and also because of the problem to keep privacy of the residents between the windows, which are positioned face-to-face on wall surfaces.
Considering that natural ventilation is a climatic factor,a renewable alternative, as well as an important source of comfort, it seems to be relevant to consider its great potential when applied to architecture, taking into account economical and environmental gains. It is difficult to think about studying air circulation without mentioning the north Africa vernacular architecture and its ability to create the best solutions to increase the ventilation without any energy consumption, therefore, adopting passive cooling.
This document aims to present the progress and the outcome of the research on double skin façades that is being carried out within the European ‘BESTFACADE’ project. Double skin facades have become an important architectural element in office buildings over the last 15 years. The demand for natural and hybrid ventilation in commercial buildings is increasing due to growing environmental consciousness while at the same time energy consumption for buildings has to be reduced.
In hot and arid climates, evaporative cooling appears to have significant potential to provide thermal comfort and reduce the energy loads of summer season. These regions used wind towers as means to reduce energy consumption of air conditioning systems.However, the cooling potential of wind towers techniquewas investigated in real exiting building in Ouarglacity of Algeria (hot and arid climate); Measurements have been performed under two conditions with and without evaporative potential.A mathematical model of wind tower has been developed and validated using the measured data.
Presently the assessment of the thermal behaviour and the energy efficiency of naturally ventilated double skin facades (DSF) is only possible by using complex simulationtools, which allow inter-connections between fluid dynamics, energy balances and optical transport mechanisms. The performance assessment of mechanicallyventilated DSF is slightly easier but still requires simulation tools.