window size

Evaluating the influence of thermal mass and window size in a direct gain system on the annual and lifetime energy consumption of domestic Australian light weight construction

Submitted by on Wed, 07/02/2014 - 22:13

Climate responsive design ensures thermal comfort in buildings without using excessive energy for heating and cooling. This study explores how the relationship between the quantity of north (equator) facing window area, the quantity of thermal capacity and the distribution of thermal capacity in a space can improve comfort and energy efficiency in residential buildings in Australia, and optimise lifetime CO2-e emissions. The study concludes that thermal capacity can improve the thermal efficiency of the simulated structure, primarily through its influence on annual cooling loads.