Evaluation of the Impact of the Transparent Component on the Energy Loads and Thermal Comfort Conditions in Different Climatic Regions

Abstract

Due to rapid depletion of energy resources and environmental problems caused by the use of energy resources, controlling energy consumption is becoming increasingly important. As cooling and heating demands of buildings constitute a majority of the energy consumed, energy efficient buildings in which comfort conditions are achieved have become important. Decisions about the opaque and transparent components of a building in the design stage and orientation of these components in different climatic regions have a significant effect on the thermal comfort conditions and energy consumption rates in the building. Therefore, this study intends to review and evaluate the impact of design decisions on thermal comfort conditions and energy consumption in buildings in different climates. In this study, a zone with 5/5 dimensions was designed in Istanbul (temperate-humid), Diyarbakır (hot-dry) and Erzurum (cold) in Turkey to conduct thermal comfort and energy analyses. Overall annual energy loads, solar radiation gains and operative temperature changes as a result of using two different transparency ratios (30% and 50%) and different orientation and location of windows in the zones will be evaluated in this study. Energy efficient design options with thermal comfort will be determined based on comparative analyses.