Simplified design tool for optimum external shading towards energy efficiency in hot humid tropic

• Main Authors: Ahmad, Mohd. Kamdan, Wah, Lim Yaik
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Built Environment
• Subjects: TH434-437 Quantity surveying
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/17887/1/Project_Profile_Template_IRGS_78165_Jan_2011.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/17887/

Solar shading is an important element not only for the purpose of reducing direct solar heat gain, but also for controlling the quality of daylighting and associated glare. The balance between the prevention of heat gains and natural daylight penetration is crucial for energy saving in building cooling and lighting. However, many buildings nowadays do not show proper use of solar shading. One of the main factors is the lack of understanding and proper use of shading design tools or methods. The main objective of this research is to determine the optimum external solar shading geometry for energy efficiency in hot humid tropic. Besides, this research also accesses the application of computer simulation tools for shading design. Two methodologies were employed in this research. The first one was an assessment on computer simulation tools using scaled physical model measurement. Desktop Radiance 2.0 and VELUX Daylight Visualizer 2.5 were selected and evaluated for proper application under tropical sky. The second methodology was building energy simulation using e-QUEST-3. This experiment was to investigate the impact of room geometry, fenestration size and external overhang depth on building energy consumption. The results showed that the highest energy saving achieved was as much as 70 percents. The relationship of the 3 variables was discussed and prediction tool for optimum shading was developed for energy efficiency. Futhur study can be carried out on other types of shading devices and variables such as room height, overhang angle, colour, etc. The findings can be further developed into simplified shading design tool.