The effect of window orientation on environmental thermal performance and occupant perception

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the effect of solar orientation in terms of thermal performance and occupant perception in two indoor environments of a Cost-Effective Building Bioclimatic Chamber (CBBC), with window facades in two opposite solar orientations. This study employed Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) techniques and temperature measurements at CBBC in Bioclimatic Zone 1, Curitiba/PR, Brazil. The users’ evaluation sessions took place in the winter of 2018, with subjective evaluations by 136 voluntary participants. The results of the objective measurements were corroborated by the perceptions of users, proving the thermal contribution of north-facing window façades in winter. Window orientation (north/south) led to changes in air- and internal surface temperatures, with effects on the vertical profile of the temperature and on thermal performance levels, even for window configurations with closed shutters, i.e., without direct solar heat gains in the environment. The internal air temperature discrepancy increased with direct solar heat, reaching a difference of 5.9 °C.

Keywords:
Thermal performance; Post-Occupancy Evaluation; Climate chambers