Daylighting and hybrid ventilation in commercial buildings: Assessing window area, potential for electricity savings and daylighting performance

The main objective of this work is to develop a method for sizing window area based on the consumption of electricity in commercial buildings, when integration of daylight and artificial light with hybrid ventilation is considered. The method allows the estimation of the potential for electricity savings and the evaluation of the daylighting performance. Models operating with artificial and natural light, air-conditioning and hybrid ventilation, with different geometries and dimensions were analyzed. EnergyPlus and Daysim programmes were used to perform simulations, using the TRY climate file of Florianópolis, southern Brazil. Annual electricity consumption of each model was obtained from simulations. Window areas were sized for all models. The use of daylighting and hybrid ventilation in commercial buildings located in Florianópolis showed a potential for electricity savings. Daylighting generates more energy savings than hybrid ventilation. The best daylighting performances were obtained for small rooms. The results of this work can be used to improve energy efficiency in buildings.