The Influence of Glazing Selection on Commercial Building Energy Performance in Hot and Humid Climates

This paper presents a comparative study in which commercial building perimeter zone electricsenergy (cooling, lighting, fan) and peak electric demand are analyzed as a function of windowsglazing type, with a particular emphasis on the use of glazings with wavelength-selective solar opticalsproperties. The DOE-2 energy analysis simulation program was used to generate a datasbase of the electric energy requirements of a prototypical office building module located in Singapore.sAlgebraic expressions derived by multiple regression techniques permitted a direct comparisonsof those parameters that characterize window performance in hot and humid climates:sorientation, size, and solar-optical properties. Also investigated were the effects of exterior andsinterior shading devices, as well as interior illuminance level, power density, and lighting controlssto permit the use of daylighting. These regression equations were used to compare the energysimplications of conventional window designs and newer designs in which the type of coating andssubstrate were varied. The analysis shows the potential for substantial savings through combinedssolar load control and lighting energy use reduction with daylighting.