The Impact of Building Orientation and Window-to-Wall Ratio on the Performance of Electrochromic Glazing in Hot Arid Climates: A Parametric Assessment

The significant increase in construction industry demand with its negative effects on energy consumption is particularly evident in areas with severe climatic factors. Here, the designers aim at providing comfort with the least amount of energy, and consequently have resorted to using different software tools to choose the optimal solution in the early phase of design to avoid time and cost losses. The use of smart innovative technologies such as electrochromic (EC) glazing may provide an important contribution in reducing consumptions while providing good thermal and visual comfort conditions. Nonetheless, as shown in the literature, such glazing should be used and managed carefully to avoid any adverse effects or low performance. Thus, a parametric simulation was carried out using Rhinoceros and Grasshopper to assess the advantages in terms of energy use resulting from use of EC glazing in residential buildings as a function of facade orientation and window-to-wall ratio (WWR) with reference to the city of Biskra, located in the northeastern region of Algeria. Eight main orientations and ten WWR scenarios were investigated in order to evaluate the benefit of using this technology in the selected climatic region. The research results proved the benefit of using EC glazing in all orientations, with energy savings ranging from 35.88% in the northern facade to 60.47% in the southwestern facade.

Automated summary

The construction industry demand has significantly increased, leading to higher energy consumption, especially in areas with severe climate conditions. Designers are using software tools to find optimal solutions in the early stages of design to minimize time and cost losses. Smart technologies like electrochromic (EC) glazing can reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfort conditions. However, careful management is required to avoid adverse effects or poor performance. A parametric simulation using Rhinoceros and Grasshopper was conducted to evaluate the energy-saving benefits of using EC glazing in residential buildings in Biskra, Algeria, considering facade orientation and window-to-wall ratio. The research results showed significant energy savings across all orientations.