Impact of façade configuration on energy consumption of school buildings in Constantine (Algeria)

Abstract

In Algerian school buildings, heating and artificial lighting energy consumption counts for the important proportion of spending. Façade configuration is one of the major reasons because it affects the heating, cooling and lighting energy consumption of building. So, it is necessary to study the energy saving optimal design of transparent envelope for classrooms. In this paper, the impact of some parameters of transparent envelope on overall energy consumption (heating, cooling and lighting) are investigated using the two computer simulation softwares Ecotect analysis 2011 and Daysim 3.0. These parameters are: the orientation, the window to floor ratio, the heat transfer coefficient U and luminous transmittance LT of glazing materials. The results show a complex interdependence among these design variables.