Improvement in Energy Performance of Building Envelope Incorporating Electrochromic Windows (ECWs)

Abstract

The present study sets out to review the thermal and optical properties of electrochromic windows (ECWs) through an analysis of the improvement in the energy performance of a building resulting from their application. The performance analysis was based on the change in the room temperature according to the solar transmittance and the orientation of the ECWs, the energy consumptions of the building’s heating/cooling systems, and that of the building’s lighting according to the visible light transmittance (VLT). To achieve this, the Quick Energy Simulation Tool (eQUEST), a building energy interpretation program, was used. The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of the ECWs was found to be significantly reduced. This had the effect of lowering the room temperature in summer, such that the effect on the summer cooling energy consumption was also remarkable. However, with a reduction in the VLT, the lighting energy consumption increased. The net result of the changes in the heating/cooling and lighting energy consumptions was a reduction of about 11,207 kWh/yr (8.89%). The ECWs were found to realize a greater reduction in a building’s energy consumption than was possible with windows glazed with low-E coated glass.