Best practices for full-scale testing and energy savings, daylighting and visual comfort evaluation of dynamic shading

Niraj Kunwar, Kristen S. Cetin, Ulrike Passe

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Fenestrations alone are responsible for 2.15 Quads 733 (IWh) of heating energy consumption and 1.48 Quads 434 (TWh) of cooling energy consumption in U.S. buildings. Fenestrations also impact daylighting and occupant comfort; ideally, they should help provide sufficient daylighting while minimizing energy use while not negatively affecting occupant comfort. Dynamic shading is an excellent means for optimally balancing these needs given the dynamic nature of weather variables effecting the built environment. However, most dynamic shading studies are conducted using modeling only and most focus on the south orientation. As such, three different types of motorized shading devices: two roller shades and one Venetian blind were tested in a full-scale commercial office building laboratory in three different orientations: east, west and south. Testing included the use of two identical parallel rooms in each of orientation from March to September 2017. One test room in each orientation was measured as the baseline with no shading device and no lighting control, while the other utilized dynamic shading and electric lights, controlled based on feedback from an exterior irradiation sensor and an interior illuminance sensor. Two different control strategies were used for each type of shading devices. Cooling and lighting energy consumption for each of the test rooms were measured and used to calculate energy savings potential of the dynamic shading application. Daylightingperformance was also evaluated using three different interior illuminance sensors placed at different distance from the window and visual comfort was assessed based on measured vertical illuminance. This study will include a broad overview of the dynamic shading testing methods used, challenges and problems encountered with the full-scale implementation of these devices, and lessons learned and best practices for others seeking to utilize these devices in full-scale or real-world environments.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASHRAE Transactions - 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference
PublisherASHRAE
Pages423-430
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781947192355
StatePublished - 2019
Event2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference - Kansas City, United States
Duration: Jun 22 2019Jun 26 2019

Publication series

NameASHRAE Transactions
Volume125
ISSN (Print)0001-2505

Conference

Conference2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKansas City
Period06/22/1906/26/19

Funding

This project was funded by ASHRAE under the grant 1710-RP and supported by Iowa Energy Center and Pella Corporation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASHRAE, the Iowa Energy Center, or Pella Corporation. We would like to thank Dr. Xiahou Zhou and Dr. Yunhua Li for their support throughout the full-scale testing of the project at the Energy Resource Station, a facility that is a part of the Iowa Energy Center.

FundersFunder number
Iowa Energy Center and Pella Corporation
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers1710-RP
Iowa Energy Center

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Best practices for full-scale testing and energy savings, daylighting and visual comfort evaluation of dynamic shading'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this