Methodology used to investigate the energy savings of opaque ventilated façades in residential buildings in Brazil

Abstract

Opaque ventilated facades have as it main advantage reduce cooling thermal loads, thus reducing the energy consumed by artificial systems. This paper presents the method used by Maciel and Carvalho (2019) [1], that investigated the energy benefit of opaque ventilated façades compared to cladding façades in multi-floor residential buildings in Brazil. The authors divided the methodology in four parts: ensure the gap of investigation through a systematic mapping of literature (SML), verify the best software´s BIM and BES, in terms of interoperability, performed several simulations during a hole year for 09 different climate regions, and validated the collected data with a statistic tool. In the SML few studies were found on the topic discussed, and only two performed comparisons between different climates, both used computer simulation. The bibliographic revision about interoperability showed that the most comprehensive BES software´s to use with a BIM model were IES-VE and GBS, being chosen the GBS. All configuration to the simulation were made following instructions of international regulations. The collected data was validated by Tukey test. Although the steps of the methodology were not original, the authors certified along the process that the choices made were the most efficient and valid ones.

• With this methodology, it was possible to gain great agility in data being generated, which enables a broad sample and a several possibilities of analyses.

• The statistical processing of data enables trust in the results found with the computer simulations.

Graphical abstract