Thermal performance assessment of opaque ventilated façades for residential buildings in hot humid climates

Abstract

In this paper, the thermal performance of opaque ventilated façades (OVFs) in the Mediterranean climate zone, where passive cooling is a priority, was examined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Simulations were carried out to analyse the behaviour of OVF components under different geometric configurations, using weather data for three cities in Turkey that reflect the climatic conditions of a first-degree day region. These data include the air cavity thickness, outlet size, and air cavity height. Unlike in previous literature, two-way outlet ventilation is employed in this study in the analysis of different façade systems for the Mediterranean climate region, and its performance in reducing solar gain is determined. According to the samples examined within the scope of the criteria outlined herein, it was determined that the rate of heat transferred indoors through the façade can be reduced within the range of 69 % to 75 %.