Energy consumption of hybrid smart water-filled glass (SWFG) building envelope

Abstract Thermal properties have significant impact on ecological footprint and life-cycle assessment of buildings. This is even more crucial aspect for glass buildings, which been criticised as major factors in climate change around the world. Recent debates facades, culminated plans a “glass building ban” New York City highlighted importance innovation construction. The current solutions mitigating energy consumption facades are improving insulation (U-value) solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) with advanced glazing or using shading devices. A fourth approach recent technology water-filled (WFG), utilizes water layer to improve thermal comfort performance facade. paper introduces Smart Water-filled Glass (SWFG) control method, enables opacity facade element by colouring fluid over year regarding seasonal changes. changing transparency cooling heating demand evaluated simulating analysing reference office room large different climates. significance this evaluation that switchable simulated assessed here first time. analyses seven cities from all relevant climatic regions LBNL WINDOW TRNSYS (v.18) As novel approach, simulation study makes it possible evaluate overall two proposed operational methods (insolation-based & storage-based) adjusting settings depending conditions reusability captured layer. Moreover, base cases presented compare system, including conventional (e.g. double triple with/without shading) state-of-the-art electrochromic EC). results verify hypothesis SWFG compared WFG varies 0%-5.28% hot climates 0.25–3.39% demand. discussion includes comparison standard where shows 47.41%-78.01% savings climate. climate-based offers shift design sees buildings an opportunity sustainability rather than liability change.