The Energy Saving Potential of Wide Windows in Hospital Patient Rooms, Optimizing the Type of Glazing and Lighting Control Strategy under Different Climatic Conditions

Silvia Cesari, Paolo Valdiserri, Maddalena Coccagna and Sante Mazzacane
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Silvia Cesari: Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Paolo Valdiserri: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Maddalena Coccagna: CIAS Research Centre for Pollution Control in High Sterility Rooms, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
Sante Mazzacane: CIAS Research Centre for Pollution Control in High Sterility Rooms, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-24

Abstract: If not properly designed, the adoption of large windows can sometimes have a negative impact on building energy demand. For this reason, aggravated by the outdated building envelope of the healthcare building stock, large fenestration systems are usually avoided in hospitals, especially in old structures. However, with appropriate glazing specifications, the adoption of wider openings can result into significant energy savings, lower costs and strong positive effects on patients and staff well-being. The present study investigates how different window sizes and types of glazing affect heating, cooling and lighting energy demand in a hospital patient room. The objective is to evaluate the energy savings that may be obtained when installing larger windows and to identify the glazing properties allowing one to reach the maximum energy reductions. Simulations were carried out using nine diverse glazing systems, already available on the market, and their energy performance was evaluated in relation to two different window areas: a common size opening, characterized by a 25% Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), and a floor to ceiling window, with 77% WWR. The analysis was conducted taking into consideration four different orientations in four Italian cities, supposing two artificial lighting control strategies. The results highlighted how the adoption of wider windows with appropriate glazings and a daylight-linked dimming lighting control strategy may lower the primary energy demand up to 17%.

Keywords: energy demand; hospital patient rooms; window-to-wall ratio (WWR); glazing specifications; lighting; dynamic building energy simulations; TRNSYS (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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