Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE
With the prevalent use of large glazings, particularly in office buildings, offices receive an abundance of light and are among the largest consumers of electricity. Moreover, in an extreme hot arid climate such as in the UAE, achieving comfortable daylighting levels without increasing solar heat ga...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/10/1541 |
| _version_ | 1797474645638643712 |
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| author | Yasmin Abdou YOUNG KI KIM Alaa Abdou Rim Anabtawi |
| author_facet | Yasmin Abdou YOUNG KI KIM Alaa Abdou Rim Anabtawi |
| author_sort | Yasmin Abdou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With the prevalent use of large glazings, particularly in office buildings, offices receive an abundance of light and are among the largest consumers of electricity. Moreover, in an extreme hot arid climate such as in the UAE, achieving comfortable daylighting levels without increasing solar heat gain is a challenge, in which the window or fenestration design plays an essential role. This research adopts a case study of a higher education (HE) office building on the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) campus, selected to investigate an evidence-based retrofitting solution for the west façade that can be applied in existing office buildings in the UAE in order to reduce cooling energy load as well as enhance indoor environmental quality. To achieve an evidence-based retrofitting solution, the research design built upon a comprehensive exploratory investigation that included indoor environmental quality physical monitoring and occupant satisfaction surveying. Model simulation was performed by means of DesignBuilder software to perform a single- and multiparameter sensitivity analysis for three key passive window design parameters, i.e., window-to-wall ratio, glazing type, and external shading, aimed towards minimizing annual cooling load and solar heat gain, while maintaining appropriate indoor daylight illuminance levels. The results highlight the importance of the window-to-wall ratio (WWR), as it is the single most significant parameter effecting total energy consumption and daylighting levels. The results recommend 20–30% WWR as the optimum range in the west façade. However, by utilizing high performance glazing types and external shading, equal energy savings can be achieved with a larger WWR. Double Low E tinted glazing and 0.4 projection shading overhang and side fin revealed a noteworthy reduction of energy use intensity of 14%. The study concludes with final retrofitting solutions and design recommendations that aim to contribute validated knowledge towards enhancing window performance in a hot arid climate to guide architects and stakeholders to apply a range of passive parameters towards reducing energy consumption and improving occupant comfort in office buildings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:34:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6bd964e9cb4a441ea21af6e98d1c217d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:34:03Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-6bd964e9cb4a441ea21af6e98d1c217d2023-11-23T23:15:58ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092022-09-011210154110.3390/buildings12101541Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAEYasmin Abdou0YOUNG KI KIM1Alaa Abdou2Rim Anabtawi3Department of Architectural Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Architectural Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab EmiratesHealthy and Sustainable Buildings Research Center, Department of Architecture, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Architectural Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab EmiratesWith the prevalent use of large glazings, particularly in office buildings, offices receive an abundance of light and are among the largest consumers of electricity. Moreover, in an extreme hot arid climate such as in the UAE, achieving comfortable daylighting levels without increasing solar heat gain is a challenge, in which the window or fenestration design plays an essential role. This research adopts a case study of a higher education (HE) office building on the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) campus, selected to investigate an evidence-based retrofitting solution for the west façade that can be applied in existing office buildings in the UAE in order to reduce cooling energy load as well as enhance indoor environmental quality. To achieve an evidence-based retrofitting solution, the research design built upon a comprehensive exploratory investigation that included indoor environmental quality physical monitoring and occupant satisfaction surveying. Model simulation was performed by means of DesignBuilder software to perform a single- and multiparameter sensitivity analysis for three key passive window design parameters, i.e., window-to-wall ratio, glazing type, and external shading, aimed towards minimizing annual cooling load and solar heat gain, while maintaining appropriate indoor daylight illuminance levels. The results highlight the importance of the window-to-wall ratio (WWR), as it is the single most significant parameter effecting total energy consumption and daylighting levels. The results recommend 20–30% WWR as the optimum range in the west façade. However, by utilizing high performance glazing types and external shading, equal energy savings can be achieved with a larger WWR. Double Low E tinted glazing and 0.4 projection shading overhang and side fin revealed a noteworthy reduction of energy use intensity of 14%. The study concludes with final retrofitting solutions and design recommendations that aim to contribute validated knowledge towards enhancing window performance in a hot arid climate to guide architects and stakeholders to apply a range of passive parameters towards reducing energy consumption and improving occupant comfort in office buildings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/10/1541fenestration designretrofittingoffice buildingwindow-to-wall ratioglazing technologyexternal shading |
| spellingShingle | Yasmin Abdou YOUNG KI KIM Alaa Abdou Rim Anabtawi Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE Buildings fenestration design retrofitting office building window-to-wall ratio glazing technology external shading |
| title | Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE |
| title_full | Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE |
| title_fullStr | Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE |
| title_full_unstemmed | Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE |
| title_short | Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE |
| title_sort | energy optimization for fenestration design evidence based retrofitting solution for office buildings in the uae |
| topic | fenestration design retrofitting office building window-to-wall ratio glazing technology external shading |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/10/1541 |
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