Office energy needs and indoor comfort with different types of external roller shades in a southern Europe climate

In this paper, the effect of the windows shading systems both on visual and thermal comfort and on the total building energy needs (for heating, cooling and artificial lighting) has been analyzed. An open-space office module with different windows characteristics has been simulated with EnergyPlus 7.2, controlling the internal conditions with appropriate comfort setpoints. Different window distributions (on a single façade or on opposite façades), and two orientations have been analysed, varying the glazed area and the glazing type. Three external moveable roller shades have been considered, controlled by two setpoint variables: the glare index and the total solar radiation incident on the windows.