The Control of Venetian Blinds: A Solution for Reduction of Energy Consumption Preserving Visual Comfort

Francesco Nicoletti, Cristina Carpino, Mario A. Cucumo and Natale Arcuri
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Francesco Nicoletti: Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department (DIMEG), University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
Cristina Carpino: Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department (DIMEG), University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
Mario A. Cucumo: Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department (DIMEG), University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
Natale Arcuri: Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department (DIMEG), University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Glazing surfaces strongly affect the building energy balance considering heat losses, solar gains and daylighting. Appropriate operation of the screens is required to control the transmitted solar radiation, preventing internal overheating while assuring visual comfort. Consequently, in the building design phase, solar control systems have become crucial devices to achieve high energy standards. An operation based on well-defined control strategies can help to reduce cooling energy consumption and ensure appropriate levels of natural lighting. The present study aims at investigating the effect of smart screening strategies on the energy consumption of a test building designed in the Mediterranean climate. With the aim of automatically setting the inclination of venetian blind slats, the necessary equations are analytically found out and applied. Equations obtained are based on the position of the sun with respect to the wall orientation. In the case of a cloudy day or an unlit surface, empirical laws are determined to optimize the shielding. These are extrapolated through energy simulations conducted with the EnergyPlus software. Finally, using the same software, the actual benefits obtained by the method used are assessed, in terms of energy and CO 2 emissions saved in a test environment.

Keywords: smart solar shading; energy saving; venetian blinds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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