The ABCs of
Façades in the Tropical Climate
Dr. CHEN Fangzhi
Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS)
National University of Singapore (NUS)
2nd Seminar on High Performance Façades in the Tropics
LT 16, NUS, Singapore, 18 October 2013
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 1
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 2
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade as the contact surface to local climate
Façade has the largest contact surface to local climate than any other
building components
View of building façades at Marina Bay Financial Centre
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 3
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade and building energy consumption
Façade does not consume energy directly
Façade affects energy consumption by air conditioning, ventilation and
lighting directly
Office equipment &
others
25%
Air conditioning
52%
Lift/escalator
7%
Lighting
12% Ventilation
4%
Breakdown of office building energy consumption in Singapore (Lee et al., 2004)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 4
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Case study: conservatories at Gardens by the Bay
Key façade features affecting air conditioning and lighting energy use
Low-e DGU with high selectivity: 65% daylight transmission and 35%
solar heat gain
Active façade: motorized external blinds for shading on sunny days
Motorized external blinds provide additional shading on sunny days
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 5
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Holistic view on façade
In addition to energy use, façade also affects the well-being of occupants
Thermal comfort
Visual comfort (glare)
Acoustic comfort (noise transmission)
Privacy
Many occupants opt to close window blinds for comfort reasons
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 6
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Research work at SERIS
Three important aspects of façade and tropical climate
1. Heat gain through façade
2. Façade introduced thermal discomfort
3. Façade introduced visual discomfort (glare)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 7
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 8
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade heat transfer: winter vs. summer
In winter condition In summer condition
Solar heat gain reduces heating Solar heat gain increases cooling
load load
Heat addition by equipment and Heat addition by equipment and
people reduces heating load people increases cooling load
Worst case scenario is at night- Worst case scenario is at day-time
time Affected by both U-value and
Affected by U-value only G-value
100% of the heat loss is Part of the heat gain is through
through building envelope building envelope
(excluding ventilation)
100% of the heat removal is by
Part of the heat addition is by cooling equipment (excluding
heating equipment ventilation)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 9
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Challenges on façade heat gain in the tropics
Some confusing questions
1. U-value and G-value, which is more important in Singapore?
2. Is U-value important in Singapore?
3. I know the product U-value and G-value, but how much is the
cooling load reduction in Singapore’s climate due to the improved U-value
and G-value?
4. How do I calculate U-value and G-value of active façade systems
(e.g. motorized blinds, thermochromic glazing)?
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 10
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade heat gain rating in the tropics
Limitations of existing rating indices (e.g. U-value and G-value)
Correlated to cooling load, but do not directly represent cooling load
Difficult to rate active façade systems
Cooling Energy Index (CEI, Tsikaloudaki et al., 2012)
Annual additional cooling introduced by the facade of interest
CEI =
Area of the facade
CEI is directly expressed in the form of the additional cooling load
[kWh/m2]
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC, Chen, 2013)
CEI of the facade of interest
AESC =
CEI of a facade made of 3 mm reference clear glass
AESC of a fenestration is directly proportional to the additional cooling
load introduced by the fenestration [-]
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 11
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
CEI of simple glazing systems
CEI is strongly dependent on façade orientation
500
North oriented
450 East oriented
South oriented
400 West oriented
350
CEI [kWh/m ]
2
300
250
200
150
100
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
G-value [-]
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 12
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
AESC of simple horizontal overhangs
AESC with horizontal overhang is only weakly dependent on façade orientation
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
AESC [-]
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
PF [-]
3 mm clear + overhang, south DGU low + overhang, south
3 mm clear + overhang, west DGU low + overhang, west
3 mm cear + overhang, north DGU low + overhang, north
3 mm clear + overhang, east DGU low + overhang, east
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 13
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 14
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Opaque material heat gain in tropical climate
Opaque façade materials: roof, wall, cladding, and frame etc.
Conventional understandings
1. Opaque material does not transmit solar heat
2. Opaque material transmits heat due to indoor/outdoor temperature
difference
Thermal performance is characterized by U-value
3. Indoor/outdoor temperature in Singapore is small
Conclusion 1: U-value is not important in Singapore
Conclusion 2: thermal performance of opaque façade materials is not
important in Singapore
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 15
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Solar heat gain through opaque materials
For opaque materials (e.g. frame), directly transmitted solar heat is zero
However, the outer side surface absorbs heat and part of the
absorbed heat flows to indoor space (i..e secondary heat gain)
Dependent on: 1) outer surface solar absorptance; and 2) material U-
value
Incident solar radiation
Absorbed solar radiation
Reflected solar radiation
Inward flowing part
Outward flowing part
(Secondary heat gain)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 16
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Test-bedding of frame thermal performance
1 No thermal break, light color AL_LC
2 No thermal break, dark color AL_DC
3 With low performance thermal TBL_LC
5 break, light color
9
4 With low performance thermal TBL_DC
break, dark color
5 With moderate performance TBM_LC
thermal break, light color
6 With moderate performance TBM_DC
thermal break, dark color
6 10 7 With high performance TBH_LC
thermal break, light color
8 With high performance TBH_DC
7 8 thermal break, dark color
3 4
9 No thermal break, light color Spare
1 2
part
10 No thermal break, dark color Spare
part
Pink color: insulation material
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 17
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Preliminary results (12 Sep 2013)
800
Solar irradiance [W/m2]
Solar irradiance
600
400
200
0
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(a) Solar irradiance
400
AL_LC AL_DC
TBL_LC TBL_DC
Heat flux [W/m2]
300
TBM_LC
200 TBH_LC TBH_DC
100
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(b) Heat flux through frames
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 18
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Preliminary results (12 Sep 2013)
70
Surface temperature [C]
60
AL_LC AL_DC
TBL_LC TBL_DC
50 TBM_LC TBM_DC
TBH_LC TBH_DC
40
30
20
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(c) Outdoor frame surface temperature
50
Surface temperature [C]
AL_LC AL_DC
45
TBL_LC TBL_DC
40 TBM_LC
TBH_LC TBH_DC
35
30
25
20
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(d) Indoor frame surface temperature
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 19
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Is U-value important in Singapore’s climate?
It is not appropriate to say:
U-value is not important in Singapore’s climate
It may be more appropriate to say:
For opaque materials, solar absorptance and insulation are important
in Singapore’s climate
For transparent materials, solar transmittance, solar absorptance and
insulation are important in Singapore’s climate
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 20
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 21
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade and thermal comfort: winter vs. summer
In winter condition
Solar radiation transmitted through façade improves thermal comfort
In summer condition
Solar radiation transmitted through façade reduces thermal comfort
Though the space is air
conditioned, people
standing in the sunlit
area may still feel warm
or even hot
Direct sunlight penetration is not controlled in some buildings
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 22
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Thermal comfort modelling
Unfortunately, most simulation models do not consider solar radiation in
thermal comfort calculation (i.e. ISO 7730, ASHRAE 55)
Predict mean vote (PMV) model with consideration of solar radiation
(Chen et al., 2013)
PMV1: PMV without consideration of solar radiation
PMV2: PMV with consideration of diffuse solar radiation
PMV3: PMV with consideration of diffuse and direct solar radiation
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 23
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Hourly PMV simulation results (June 21)
3.0 3.0
2.5 2.5
2.0 2.0
1.5 1.5
PMV [-]
PMV [-]
1.0 1.0
0.5 0.5
0.0 0.0
-0.5 -0.5
09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00
North orientated Time [h] East orientated Time [h]
3.0 3.0
2.5 2.5
2.0 2.0
1.5 1.5
PMV [-]
PMV [-]
1.0 1.0
0.5 0.5
0.0 0.0
-0.5 -0.5
09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00
South orientated Time [h] West orientated Time [h]
Single clear, long-wave (PMV1) DGU, long-wave (PMV1)
Single clear, long-wave + diffuse solar (PMV2) DGU, long-wave + diffuse solar (PMV2)
Single clear, long-wave + diffuse & direct solar (PMV3) DGU, long-wave + diffuse & direct solar (PMV3)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 24
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Annual PMV time percentage distribution
Note: PMV3 is plotted in this figure
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 25
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 26
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Limited quantitative data are available on visual comfort in the tropical
climate
Daylight glare probability (DGP) was used as the glare index (Chen et
al., 2013)
Glare from a camera flash Glare from window transmitted daylight
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 27
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Annual DGP distribution (single clear)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
9:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
North oriented
9:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
East oriented
9:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
South oriented
9:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
West oriented
DGP < 0.35, imperceptible glare 0.35 ≤ DGP < 0.4, perceptible glare
0.4 ≤ DGP < 0.45, disturbing glare 0.45 ≤ DGP, intolerable glare
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 28
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Annual DGP time percentage distribution
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 29
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 30
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Minimizing façade heat gain
Let’s talk about annual heat gain through façade, instead of U-value and G-
value
For transparent (or glazed) part
Low-e coating with high spectral selectivity
Blinds (internal, built-in, external)
Active façade systems (e.g. motorized blinds)
It is possible to achieve AESC < 0.10 with existing materials
For opaque (or non-glazed) part
Materials with low solar absorptance and improved insulation
Systems with low air leakage rate
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 31
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Minimizing façade introduced thermal/visual discomfort
Use the right thermal comfort model; Original ISO 7730 and ASHRAE
55 models are not appropriate for tropical climate
Use the right glare index; DGP is recommended
Avoid direct sunlight on occupants
Diffuse daylight is good; direct sunlight is bad
It is more appropriate to integrate glazing and shading, especially for
east/west facing façade
Be careful when using glazing materials with high solar transmittance
and high visible light transmittance
Minimize east/west facing façade
Consider active façade system for east/west facing façade
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 32
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
Overview of façade and climate
Façade heat gain in the tropical climate
Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)
Heat gain through opaque materials
Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
Realizing high performance in the tropical climate
Concluding remarks
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 33
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
The keyword is “integration”
A façade is built of a collection of materials by nature
High performance façades shall meet multiple requirements by nature
Energy efficiency
Comfort and well-being of the occupants
Safety
The keyword is “integration”
Integrate good glass with good frame
Integrate good fenestration with good blind
Integrate good façade with good air-conditioning system, good lighting
system, good building control system …
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 34
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Thank you for your attention!
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SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 35
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
