| Keywords |
Double skin envelope ; Heating and cooling energy ; Natural ventilation |
| Abstract |
This study examines the influence of double skin envelope on the variation of energy load in buildings. Field measurements and computer simulations were performed under various conditions. Simulated results were validated against the measurement results to perform further predictions for annual energy load. The opening condition of vents in cavity effectively influenced on heating load in winter, but it did not significantly contributed to the variation of cooling load in summer. Regression models based on measurements implied that the cavity temperature was significantly influenced by the change of outdoor temperature. The validation between measurement and simulation results was acceptable within a low significance level. Predicted energy consumption was the greatest for single skin envelope in winter. The heating and cooling energy savings achieved by double skin with reasonable natural ventilation in cavity ranged between 21.5% and 23.7%. Double skin envelope without ventilation from cavity to indoor was not proved to be a good alternative for energy saving although it increased thermal resistance between indoor and outdoor. |