The Effect of Opaque-Transparent Surface Ratio on Building Energy Performance

Abstract

Energy use in buildings accounts for a significant proportion of global energy consumption and improving energy efficiency plays a critical role in combating global warming and climate change. The use of opaque and transparent materials in the right proportions is an important factor in saving energy and reducing emission values. The aim of this study is to obtain the optimum opaque/transparent ratio according to climate zones and building facades by analysing the effect of opaque/transparent ratio and window type on building energy performance and the application cost of window types for different facades in residential buildings in different climate zones of Turkey. A building model has been created in provinces (Antalya, Istanbul, Ankara, Erzurum) representing four different climate zones (hot, temperate-humid, temperate-dry, cold) according to TS 825 - Thermal Insulation Rules in Buildings. Separate heating energy amounts were calculated for 4480 scenarios using 10 different opaque/transparent ratios (10%-100%), 7 different joinery types (wood, PVC 3-6 chamber, aluminium non-insulated-insulated) and 4 different glass types (12 mm and 16 mm spacer-double glazed, double glazed low-e coated) for four different facades (north, south, east and west). Heat gain and heat loss amounts were obtained by performing monthly analyses with TGÜB 825-Heat Insulation Calculation Program compatible with TS 825. In the literature, there are many studies showings that opaque/transparent surface ratios are important in energy efficient building design. This study gains originality by examining the effect of opaque/transparent surface ratios on energy efficiency and the relationship between the cost and energy demand of different window systems in four different climatic regions of Turkey. The data obtained will make an important contribution and guidance to the academia and the construction sector