Suitable Glazing Selection for Glass-Curtain Walls in Tropical Climates of India

Abstract

How a glass-curtain wall affects the heating and cooling load of a building is analysed. The study includes five types of glazings, which include double-glazed clear glass, double-glazed low-e, and double-glazed solar control. The analysis is for three climates: composite (New Delhi), hot and dry (Jodhpur), and warm and humid (Chennai). An office building is chosen for analysis. The study includes effect of glazed area, orientation, and that of climates, on annual energy consumption. It was found that energy consumption increases linearly with the glazed area and minimum energy consumption is for north orientation. For types of climates considered in this study, a glass-curtain wall, made of solar control glazing (reflective), consumes 6–8% less energy than the standard window.