External Solar Shading Design for Low-Energy Buildings in Humid Temperate Climates

As a consequence of energy crisis issues and the concerns regarding energy optimization, particularly the building sector, passive design strategies are proved to be economic and practical energy management solutions as they are applied by designers. However a great number of studies have been carried out in terms of shading criteria, a detailed comprehensive guidance is not presented for louvers design in humid temperate climates, as in northern areas of Iran. Urban residential buildings are a considerable subsector of construction industry, and this chapter focuses on the energy consumption potentials resulting from various design factors of external horizontal louvers for this building type. For this purpose, a typical four-story apartment building with a north-south orientation in city of Rasht – located in Csa zone based on Koppen classification – has been selected as a case study. Several design scenarios are created varying shading factors as windows coverage percentage, louvers distancing, tilt, and width. The southern façade as the most influenced building face by solar gain is the subject of study. The analysis of device alternatives is conducted using Design Builder energy simulation software, aiming to minimize the heating, cooling, and lighting energy consumption. Ultimately, the most recommended variable parameters for shading system of this building type are presented. The best scenario reduced the cooling energy consumption by %40compared to other louver configuration, and the total of cooling and heating energy consumption was reduced by approximately 13%. The optimized solutions provide designers with different choices accompanied by their known consequent energy performance in the early stages of design that could be taken based on preferences and priorities.