Evaluation of the Impact of Window Shading on the Anti-Insulation Phenomenon in Building Energy Use
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MRS Advances © 2018 Materials Research Society DOI: 10.1557/adv.2018.403
Evaluation of the Impact of Window Shading on the Anti-Insulation Phenomenon in Building Energy Use R. K. Rabasoma 1, D. D. Serame 1, O.T. Masoso 1 1
University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT
Before 2008, it was common knowledge around the world that insulation always saved air conditioning energy in buildings. In 2008 a phenomenon called anti-insulation was brought to light by Masoso & Grobler. They demonstrated that there are instances when insulation materials in a building directly increase building energy use. Researchers around the world then echoed the message. Recent work by some of the authors investigated the anti-insulation phenomenon in summer and winter for both hot climatic regions (Botswana) and cold climatic regions (Canada). Their study concluded that there is still a mystery of exaggerated sources of heat inside the building aggravating the anti-insulation phenomenon. They hypothesized that incident solar radiation through the windows could be one of the causes. This paper therefore focuses on eliminating direct solar radiation through windows by applying external shadings on a previously anti-insulation building. The energy saved is evaluated and the possible reversal of anti-insulation studied. The study is useful to energy policy makers and the building industry as it showcases the existence of a possible silent killer (anti-insulation) and demonstrates that investing large sums of money on insulation in buildings may not be the most economic thing to do in building design decisions.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The concern about responsible energy use is becoming more evident and focused on the operational cost of air-conditioned buildings. Research on the use of technologies related to energy conservation and improving building energy efficiency are becoming essential for the construction sector [1]. In many countries, building energy consumption accounts for approximately 40% of global energy demands, and the energy requirement for space heating and cooling of a building is approximately 60% of the total energy consumed in buildings, which accounts for the largest percentage of energy usage. As such, the proper design and selection of a building envelope and its components are an efficient means to reduce space heating-cooling loads. This makes thermal insulation one of the most valuable tools in achieving energy conservation in buildings. Therefore, determining both the type of thermal insulation material and the economic thickness of the material have become main subjects of engineering research [2]. Currently the main problem in building design is finding the optimal insulation thickness levels, to s
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