Energy and thermal analysis of glazed office buildings using a dynamic energy simulation tool

Highly glazed buildings are often considered to be airy, light and transparent with more access to daylight than traditional buildings, but their energy efficiency is often questioned. This article deals with energy and indoor climate simulations of single skin office buildings in Sweden using a dynamic energy simulation tool. Different building alternatives were studied with 30%, 60% and 100% window area. The following parameters were varied: the building’s orientation, the plan type, the control set points and the façade type. The chosen simulation program was shown to be very useful, but some improvements would be of interest. Unless the design of a highly glazed façade is very well done there is a high risk for a poor energy and indoor climate performance of the building. The methods and the results of the parametric studies are discussed.