Impact of window systems on daylighting performance, visual comfort and energy efficiency in patient rooms

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of glazing characteristics and shading device configuration on energy cost, daylighting and visual comfort. A typical patient room from a hospital design in Belgium is used as a baseline scenario and different window system design alternatives are explored through parametric modelling. Based on the comparative analysis, the paper discusses potential design options that allow for energy efficient and daylit patient rooms with high visual comfort. The methodology combines dynamic energy simulations, daylighting and glare analysis. The results indicate that glazing characteristics and shading device configuration have major impact on energy cost, daylighting and visual comfort and in order to achieve an overall good performance, selecting the right window system configuration is essential. This study also emphasises the need for integrated performance analysis in order to obtain a correct insight into the window system performance.