This research has implemented simulation modeling software, Energy Plus, to predict the effect of passive louver shades across a standard year on a home within the Midwest. This energy model of the building has been validated against actual experimental data, over the course of six months. This research optimized a passive louver shading array, unique to this latitude, by generating converging simulations to track energy demands of the heating and cooling systems of the home. The optimized array characteristics are derived from the minimization of the overall energy performance of these systems. Based on a proposed louver configuration a reduction of 17% in overall energy consumption was predicted when compared to a similar house model without a louver array. A Louver Configuration Input Program was developed to allow a user to input continuous values within the range of variable and be output an estimate of energy loading.
- Computer software,
- Cooling systems,
- Energy utilization,
- Heating,
- Continuous value,
- Energy demands,
- Energy loading,
- Energy model,
- Energy performance,
- Heating and cooling systems,
- Input programs,
- Shading devices,
- Loading
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stuart-baur/13/