What is Heat?
Heat is a form of energy. It derives its origins at the molecular scale. Molecules of a substance vibrate at their positions either fixed or not when energy is supplied to them. As they vibrate…
Design of Openings
For the designer who wishes to use solar energy in buildings but at the same time avoid summer overheating, the orientation of the building is the most important consideration. South…
Internal Shading Devices
When designing the shading devices, one should take into account the need to control solar gains in summer, as well as the heating and the lighting performance of the building.…
The Effects of Shading
The above method will provide a precisely shaped shade that will provide full protection over the time period selected. However, we have not yet looked at how much Sun we…
Design Steps
To design a horizontal shading device, simply following the following steps. Determine cut-off date. This is the date before which the window is to be completely shaded and after which…
Design Requirements
The design requirements for a shading device depend entirely on a building's use and local climatic conditions. In a multi storey open plan office building, the occupancy and equipment gains…
External Shading Devices
In the tropical climates, the designer should keep the solar radiation off the opaque solid elements of the building's envelope where possible. Special care should be taken to shade the…
Shade Angles
The Residential Design Codes of Western Australia" requires buildings to be design for climate. Protecting solar access for neighbouring properties is an important design criteria. Excessive shadows should not be cast onto…
Solar Shading
One of the most important challenges of energy efficient concepts in buildings is to control the entrance of daylight. It is important to find the right balance in allowing sunlight…
Sun Path Diagrams
The solar altitude, and the solar azimuth, can be read directly for any date of the year and any hour of the day from the solar charts or sun path…
