Development of a Fac¸ade Evaluation Facility for Experimental Study of Building Energy

The goal of the project is to evaluate various types of facades’ behavior and effects on building energy, focused primarily on building fenestrations such as windows. Development of the fac¸ade evaluation facility and requirements are presented in this paper. The test facility is a complete standalone unit designed to replicate a section of a building. Accommodation for facilitating a wide range of fenestrations was an important criterion. An effective solution was developed that allowed instant interchangeability of the fac¸ade setup. Although, due south orientated facades was of primary interest, integration of a rotating carousel base allowed flexibility in adjusting the orientation of the test facility. Experimental procedures and instrumentation layout are discussed in detail. The temperature of the indoor environment is continuously controlled and monitored. The measured fenestration characteristics include thermal and optical properties of the windows. The test results reveal the fenestration performance. The outcome of these tests enumerates the effects of the fac¸ade on the overall heating and cooling loads of buildings. Further investigation into these characteristics assists in improving building energy efficiency. Due to the versatility of the facility, quick replacement of the fac¸ade can accommodate several tests in short durations of time. Furthermore, correlation of the results can be scaled appropriately for residential or commercial settings providing practical information for wide utilization, contingent upon the window type.