Orientation-Based Analysis of Trombe Walls with Enhanced Glazing Systems across Different Annual Thermal Periods

Abstract

Trombe walls (TWs) are among the principal energy-efficient passive alternatives for use in building envelopes. This study was carried out as a result of the dearth and limits of previous research on TW glazing units, as well as advancements in glazing technology and the practical restraints to TW orientation. This research focuses on assessing the performance of TWs integrated with advanced glazing systems throughout the entire spectrum of annual thermal periods, with a specific emphasis on understanding the impacts of orientation. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of a diverse range of TWs paired with advanced glazing units across a wide array of orientations. The annual assessments encompassed heating, cooling, comfort, and overheating periods in a cold climate. This theoretical study employed rigorous methods and approaches, introducing models that consider various advanced structural and spectral specifications of the glazing systems. Notably, this research represents the first instance of conducting holistic orientation studies, thereby contributing novel insights to the field. It was determined that both the orientation and the configuration changes are the most influential on duration changes of the overheating period (27.5% and 24.7%, respectively), while the lowest alteration impacts are on heating (16.7%) and cooling (2.8%) periods, respectively. South orientations (340°, 350°, 0°, 10°, and 20°) achieved optimal performance, reducing heating and overheating durations, while maximizing comfort. Upgrading from single to triple glazing, particularly triple-glazed low-E systems, significantly improved comfort and reduced overheating. The findings emphasize the importance of considering various thermal periods, beyond just heating, in design strategies.