Analysis of the energy-saving potential for heating of double skin glass-glass façades

Abstract

The energy flows of the double skin, glass-glass façades have been analysed, establishing a mathematical model to determine the energy savings provided by this construction solution in 10 cities in Spain. It has been found that the two climatological variables that most influence energy savings are outdoor temperature, as it is directly related to the demand for heating, and solar irradiation, as it is the source of energy from which savings are extracted. Energy savings in winter vary between 11.1% and 20.5%, depending on the weather. A linear relationship between the annual average outdoor temperature and the useful energy provided by the double-skin façade has been determined. It was verified that the maximum energy saving occurs when the façade is offset a few degrees to the east from the pure south orientation. It deviates further east, the higher the annual average temperature. A linear relationship has been established between the outside temperature and the azimuth of the façade with which the maximum energy saving occurs. To obtain savings percentages greater than 20%, the ratio between the double-skin façade surface and the total heated surface of the building must be less