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Hot-cool box calorimetric determination of the solar heat gain coefficient and the U-value of internal shading devices

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Abstract

In several developing countries, energy performance rating programs are currently in progress. Complex fenestration systems (CFS) are building components that play a key role in reducing energy consumption. The development and testing of equipment is central for beginning the energy efficiency rating process of complex glazing systems in these countries. This paper validates the use of a low-cost hot-cold box calorimeter for measurement of the solar heat gain coefficient (SGHC) and overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of interior shading systems. This work aims to determine the energy performance of three types of often employed shading systems: solar control films, interior horizontal venetian blinds, and indoor drapery curtains. Results show that the energy performance of solar shading devices studied depends on both their morphological and optical properties. The shading systems analyzed present similar U-values, where technological features are represented by the thickness and the thermal conductivity of the material. SHGC is mainly defined by the transmittance and, to a lesser extent, the absorptance of the systems, which differ significantly according to the analyzed shading device. The three types of curtains analyzed demonstrate an SHGC dependent on the fabrics openness factor: jacquard curtains (openness factor 0.05) present a SHGC of 0.7, whereas organza curtains (openness factor 0.45) have a SHGC of 0.82. The SHGC of the venetian blinds analyzed varies on average 36% according to the slat tilt (0°–45°). The solar control films examined modify their solar gain according to their spectral selectivity.

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Notes

  1. For complex glazing systems, N i must be determined calorimetrically for a given system geometry and set of emittances but will be the same for all such systems regardless of the solar-optical properties of the layers. Therefore, it only needs to be determined once for a “thermally prototypic” system and can be combined with quantities of transmittance and absorptance determined by noncalorimetric optical techniques to produce values of SHGC for a variety of similar systems (Klems et al. 1996). In another study, Klems presents the results of an extensive set of calorimetric measurements of layer-specific inward-flowing fractions for common thermally prototypic systems involving shading (Klems and Kelley 1996). Collins and Harrison (1999) found that for venetian blinds the inward-flowing fraction is dependent on the interior/exterior temperature difference and only slightly dependent on the absorbed irradiance and exterior air film coefficient. They also checked that blind slat angle has an effect on the inward-flowing fraction under certain circumstances.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the project PICTO ENARGAS 2009-0133: Desarrollo y Estudio de Comportamiento Energético de Precisión de Carpinterías Exteriores y Elementos de Control Solar de Bajo Costo; PICT FONCYT-AGENCIA N° 2089; Iluminación natural en el hábitat de clima soleado; FONCYT, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Argentina; and ENARGAS (Ente Nacional Regulador del Gas).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INAHE (Institute of Environment, Habitat and Energy), CCT–Mendoza (Scientific and Technological Centre Mendoza), CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council), CC 131 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Ayelén Villalba, Erica Correa & Andrea Pattini

  2. CCT–Mendoza (Scientific and Technological Centre Mendoza)–CONICET, (National Scientific and Technical Research Council), CC 131 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Daniel Vicare

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  1. Ayelén Villalba
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Correspondence to Ayelén Villalba.

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Appendix

Appendix

Description of solar control systems selected

Horizontal interior venetian blind

The most frequently used types of blinds in the study area are the interior horizontal aluminum venetian blinds and 17-mm-wide slats, and these bands rotate on its horizontal axis regulating light passing between them (Dino Conte 2014).

Geometric properties of the slats were determined using measuring instruments. The obtained dimensions are shown in Fig. 9: the radius of curvature R, the strap thickness, strap width, and amplitude of the curvature of the strap (Fig. 9). Table 9 shows the optical properties of materials that make up venetian blinds. The distance between the slat center of the venetian blind is 13 mm.

Fig. 9
figure 9

Geometric properties of venetian blind slat

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Table 9 Optical properties of surface materials that make up venetian blinds (Huizenga et al. 2013; Laouadi 2011)
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Solar control films

Solar control films selected for this study are as follows:

  • p18ar: highly reflective mirror polyester film, 50 μm thick, abrasion resistant (3M Rodin 2014)

  • fxst20: medium smoke tinted polyester film, 50 μm thick, abrasion resistant (3M Rodin 2014)

  • fxst35: clear smoke tinted polyester film, 50 μm thick, abrasion resistant (3M Rodin 2014)

Interior drapery curtain

The interior textile curtains analyzed in this study are (a) organza (openness factor 0.45), (b) jacquard (openness factor 0.05), and (c) polyester gabardine (openness factor 0.05) (Fig. 10, Table 10). All three selected textiles fall into the category of plain weave (Fig. 11) and belong to the category of light colors (Keyes 1967).

Fig. 10
figure 10

Samples of analyzing textile: a organza, b jacquard, c polyester gabardine

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Table 10 Properties of the selected textiles (Textil Network Argentina 2015)
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Fig. 11
figure 11

Plain weave

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Villalba, A., Correa, E., Pattini, A. et al. Hot-cool box calorimetric determination of the solar heat gain coefficient and the U-value of internal shading devices. Energy Efficiency 10, 1553–1571 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-017-9544-1

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