Impact of shading control and thermostat set point control in perimeter zones with thermal mass

This study is focused on the impact of shading control and thermostat set point control on daylighting metrics, glare evaluation and energy consumption for perimeter office spaces (zones around perimeter). State-of-the-art and new control strategies for roller shades are summarized and their effect is analyzed for spaces with thermal mass in two different climates. Open/closed and proportional control based on outdoor incoming solar radiation, transmitted illuminance or work plane protection from sunlight and glare are studied using an integrated thermal and daylighting model which is based on an implicit finite difference thermal network approach (thermal part) and a hybrid radiosity/ray-tracing module (lighting part) linked together at each calculation time step. Set back strategies and flexible thermostat set points are also discussed. Annual results of daylighting metrics, glare indices and energy consumption are presented for the considered control strategies as well as validation of results with experimental measurements.