The ABCs of

Façades in the Tropical Climate

Dr. CHEN Fangzhi

Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS)

National University of Singapore (NUS)

2nd Seminar on High Performance Façades in the Tropics

LT 16, NUS, Singapore, 18 October 2013
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 1
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 2
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade as the contact surface to local climate
 Façade has the largest contact surface to local climate than any other
building components

View of building façades at Marina Bay Financial Centre

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 3
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade and building energy consumption
 Façade does not consume energy directly

 Façade affects energy consumption by air conditioning, ventilation and

lighting directly

Office equipment &

others
25%

Air conditioning
52%
Lift/escalator
7%

Lighting
12% Ventilation
4%
Breakdown of office building energy consumption in Singapore (Lee et al., 2004)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 4
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Case study: conservatories at Gardens by the Bay
 Key façade features affecting air conditioning and lighting energy use
 Low-e DGU with high selectivity: 65% daylight transmission and 35%
solar heat gain
 Active façade: motorized external blinds for shading on sunny days

Motorized external blinds provide additional shading on sunny days

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 5
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Holistic view on façade
 In addition to energy use, façade also affects the well-being of occupants
 Thermal comfort
 Visual comfort (glare)
 Acoustic comfort (noise transmission)
 Privacy

Many occupants opt to close window blinds for comfort reasons

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 6
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Research work at SERIS
 Three important aspects of façade and tropical climate

 1. Heat gain through façade

 2. Façade introduced thermal discomfort

 3. Façade introduced visual discomfort (glare)

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 7
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 8
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade heat transfer: winter vs. summer
 In winter condition  In summer condition
 Solar heat gain reduces heating  Solar heat gain increases cooling
load load

 Heat addition by equipment and  Heat addition by equipment and

people reduces heating load people increases cooling load

 Worst case scenario is at night-  Worst case scenario is at day-time

time  Affected by both U-value and
 Affected by U-value only G-value

 100% of the heat loss is  Part of the heat gain is through

through building envelope building envelope
(excluding ventilation)
 100% of the heat removal is by
 Part of the heat addition is by cooling equipment (excluding
heating equipment ventilation)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 9
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Challenges on façade heat gain in the tropics
 Some confusing questions

 1. U-value and G-value, which is more important in Singapore?

 2. Is U-value important in Singapore?

 3. I know the product U-value and G-value, but how much is the
cooling load reduction in Singapore’s climate due to the improved U-value
and G-value?

 4. How do I calculate U-value and G-value of active façade systems

(e.g. motorized blinds, thermochromic glazing)?

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 10
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade heat gain rating in the tropics
 Limitations of existing rating indices (e.g. U-value and G-value)
 Correlated to cooling load, but do not directly represent cooling load
 Difficult to rate active façade systems

 Cooling Energy Index (CEI, Tsikaloudaki et al., 2012)

Annual additional cooling introduced by the facade of interest
CEI =
Area of the facade

 CEI is directly expressed in the form of the additional cooling load

[kWh/m2]

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC, Chen, 2013)

CEI of the facade of interest
AESC =
CEI of a facade made of 3 mm reference clear glass

 AESC of a fenestration is directly proportional to the additional cooling

load introduced by the fenestration [-]
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 11
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
CEI of simple glazing systems
 CEI is strongly dependent on façade orientation
500
North oriented
450 East oriented
South oriented
400 West oriented

350
CEI [kWh/m ]
2

300

250

200

150

100
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
G-value [-]
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 12
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
AESC of simple horizontal overhangs
 AESC with horizontal overhang is only weakly dependent on façade orientation
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
AESC [-]

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
PF [-]
3 mm clear + overhang, south DGU low + overhang, south
3 mm clear + overhang, west DGU low + overhang, west
3 mm cear + overhang, north DGU low + overhang, north
3 mm clear + overhang, east DGU low + overhang, east
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 13
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 14
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Opaque material heat gain in tropical climate
 Opaque façade materials: roof, wall, cladding, and frame etc.

 Conventional understandings
 1. Opaque material does not transmit solar heat
 2. Opaque material transmits heat due to indoor/outdoor temperature
difference
 Thermal performance is characterized by U-value
 3. Indoor/outdoor temperature in Singapore is small

 Conclusion 1: U-value is not important in Singapore

 Conclusion 2: thermal performance of opaque façade materials is not
important in Singapore

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 15
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Solar heat gain through opaque materials
 For opaque materials (e.g. frame), directly transmitted solar heat is zero

 However, the outer side surface absorbs heat and part of the
absorbed heat flows to indoor space (i..e secondary heat gain)

 Dependent on: 1) outer surface solar absorptance; and 2) material U-

value
Incident solar radiation

Absorbed solar radiation

Reflected solar radiation

Inward flowing part

Outward flowing part
(Secondary heat gain)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 16
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Test-bedding of frame thermal performance
1 No thermal break, light color AL_LC

2 No thermal break, dark color AL_DC

3 With low performance thermal TBL_LC

5 break, light color
9
4 With low performance thermal TBL_DC
break, dark color
5 With moderate performance TBM_LC
thermal break, light color
6 With moderate performance TBM_DC
thermal break, dark color
6 10 7 With high performance TBH_LC
thermal break, light color
8 With high performance TBH_DC
7 8 thermal break, dark color
3 4
9 No thermal break, light color Spare
1 2
part
10 No thermal break, dark color Spare
part
Pink color: insulation material
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 17
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Preliminary results (12 Sep 2013)
800
Solar irradiance [W/m2]
Solar irradiance
600

400

200

0
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(a) Solar irradiance
400
AL_LC AL_DC
TBL_LC TBL_DC
Heat flux [W/m2]

300
TBM_LC
200 TBH_LC TBH_DC

100

00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00

Time [hh:mm]

(b) Heat flux through frames

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 18
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Preliminary results (12 Sep 2013)
70
Surface temperature [C]
60
AL_LC AL_DC
TBL_LC TBL_DC
50 TBM_LC TBM_DC
TBH_LC TBH_DC
40

30

20
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(c) Outdoor frame surface temperature
50
Surface temperature [C]

AL_LC AL_DC
45
TBL_LC TBL_DC
40 TBM_LC
TBH_LC TBH_DC
35

30

25

20
00:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00 24:00
Time [hh:mm]
(d) Indoor frame surface temperature
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 19
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Is U-value important in Singapore’s climate?
 It is not appropriate to say:

 U-value is not important in Singapore’s climate

 It may be more appropriate to say:

 For opaque materials, solar absorptance and insulation are important

in Singapore’s climate

 For transparent materials, solar transmittance, solar absorptance and

insulation are important in Singapore’s climate

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 20
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 21
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade and thermal comfort: winter vs. summer
 In winter condition
 Solar radiation transmitted through façade improves thermal comfort

 In summer condition
 Solar radiation transmitted through façade reduces thermal comfort

Though the space is air

conditioned, people
standing in the sunlit
area may still feel warm
or even hot

Direct sunlight penetration is not controlled in some buildings

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 22
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Thermal comfort modelling
 Unfortunately, most simulation models do not consider solar radiation in
thermal comfort calculation (i.e. ISO 7730, ASHRAE 55)

 Predict mean vote (PMV) model with consideration of solar radiation

(Chen et al., 2013)

 PMV1: PMV without consideration of solar radiation

 PMV2: PMV with consideration of diffuse solar radiation
 PMV3: PMV with consideration of diffuse and direct solar radiation

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 23
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Hourly PMV simulation results (June 21)
3.0 3.0

2.5 2.5

2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5
PMV [-]

PMV [-]
1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5

0.0 0.0

-0.5 -0.5
09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00
North orientated Time [h] East orientated Time [h]
3.0 3.0

2.5 2.5

2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5
PMV [-]

PMV [-]
1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5

0.0 0.0

-0.5 -0.5
09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00
South orientated Time [h] West orientated Time [h]
Single clear, long-wave (PMV1) DGU, long-wave (PMV1)
Single clear, long-wave + diffuse solar (PMV2) DGU, long-wave + diffuse solar (PMV2)
Single clear, long-wave + diffuse & direct solar (PMV3) DGU, long-wave + diffuse & direct solar (PMV3)
SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 24
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Annual PMV time percentage distribution

Note: PMV3 is plotted in this figure

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 25
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 26
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate
 Limited quantitative data are available on visual comfort in the tropical
climate

 Daylight glare probability (DGP) was used as the glare index (Chen et
al., 2013)

Glare from a camera flash Glare from window transmitted daylight

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 27
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Annual DGP distribution (single clear)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
9:00

12:00

15:00

18:00
North oriented
9:00

12:00

15:00

18:00
East oriented
9:00

12:00

15:00

18:00
South oriented
9:00

12:00

15:00

18:00
West oriented
DGP < 0.35, imperceptible glare 0.35 ≤ DGP < 0.4, perceptible glare
0.4 ≤ DGP < 0.45, disturbing glare 0.45 ≤ DGP, intolerable glare

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 28
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Annual DGP time percentage distribution

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 29
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 30
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Minimizing façade heat gain
 Let’s talk about annual heat gain through façade, instead of U-value and G-
value

 For transparent (or glazed) part

 Low-e coating with high spectral selectivity
 Blinds (internal, built-in, external)
 Active façade systems (e.g. motorized blinds)
 It is possible to achieve AESC < 0.10 with existing materials

 For opaque (or non-glazed) part

 Materials with low solar absorptance and improved insulation
 Systems with low air leakage rate

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 31
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Minimizing façade introduced thermal/visual discomfort
 Use the right thermal comfort model; Original ISO 7730 and ASHRAE
55 models are not appropriate for tropical climate

 Use the right glare index; DGP is recommended

 Avoid direct sunlight on occupants

 Diffuse daylight is good; direct sunlight is bad
 It is more appropriate to integrate glazing and shading, especially for
east/west facing façade

 Be careful when using glazing materials with high solar transmittance

and high visible light transmittance

 Minimize east/west facing façade

 Consider active façade system for east/west facing façade

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 32
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Presentation outline
 Overview of façade and climate

 Façade heat gain in the tropical climate

 Annual equivalent shading coefficient (AESC)

 Heat gain through opaque materials

 Façade and thermal comfort in the tropical climate

 Façade and visual comfort in the tropical climate

 Realizing high performance in the tropical climate

 Concluding remarks

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 33
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
The keyword is “integration”
 A façade is built of a collection of materials by nature

 High performance façades shall meet multiple requirements by nature

 Energy efficiency
 Comfort and well-being of the occupants
 Safety

 The keyword is “integration”

 Integrate good glass with good frame
 Integrate good fenestration with good blind
 Integrate good façade with good air-conditioning system, good lighting
system, good building control system …

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 34
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Thank you for your attention!

More information

chen.fz@nus.edu.sg
www.seris.sg

SERIS is a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is sponsored by the National University of 35
Singapore (NUS) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).