Influence of traditional balcony glazing and frameless retractable glazing on energy efficiency and thermal comfort of dwellings in a dry Mediterranean climate

Abstract

The need of governments to reduce energy consumption in homes has given rise to a rethinking of architecture from an energy point of view, in which energy is the protagonist material. This research focuses on the thermal behaviour of a passive solar system applied for the energetic rehabilitation of 40+ year old houses in the BShs climate. The effect of a solar gallery to store energy in the form of heat by exploiting the energy potential of the climate is analysed. The study focuses on the effect of terrace glazing as a solar gallery on the thermal behaviour of dwellings. In the on-site measurements of the system, the annual improvement of the hygrothermal conditions of the houses in Alicante is tested. The different measurements are carried out with different orientations, materials and mechanical elements. The aim of this methodology are different solar collection systems that define the type of thermodynamic use. The results show an improvement in the hygrothermal behaviour of the houses. The energetic use of these collectors is reflected in the improvement of the interior comfort of the rooms. The conclusions show that the combination of solar galleries with mechanical ventilation systems such as heat recovery systems reduces energy consumption and improves comfort. The system allows an appropriate use in the different seasons of the year through the application of artificial intelligence.