Double skin façade: energy performance in the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of the double skin facades on the annual cooling energy consumption of buildings in a hot-humid climate. DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus software are utilized as simulation tools to study the airflow and the energy performance of different design scenarios of an office building with a double skin façade in the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The results are evaluated and compared to each other, as well as with conventional curtain wall façade systems which are used as a benchmark for the simulation. Results show variations in the energy performance amongst the investigated double skin facades types according to the construction characteristics and the width of the air cavity. In general, with a naturally ventilated air cavity, the double-skin façade system shows a potential reduction in the annual cooling energy consumption of 22% compared to the benchmark. Incorporating mechanical ventilation to the air cavity can potentially reduce the building’s annual cooling energy consumption by 32%.

KEYWORDS:

• Double skin façade
• energy efficiency
• energy consumption
• energy performance
• mechanical ventilation

Highlights

● The energy performance of a wide range of double-skin facade designs is investigated.

● Energy savings decreased when the cavity depth of the DSF decreased.

● Incorporating mechanical ventilation enhanced the energy performance of DSF.

● Well-designed double glazed façades can reduce cooling energy consumption.