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JAABE
[ Environmental Engineering ]
Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering - Vol. 15, No. 3, pp.635-642
ISSN: 1346-7581 (Print) 1347-2852 (Online)
Print publication date 30 Sep 2016
Received 02 Apr 2015 Accepted 11 Jul 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.15.635

Energy Performance and Thermal Comfort of Double-Skin and Single-Skin Facades in Warm-Climate Offices

Halil Z. Alibaba*, 1 ; Mesut B. Ozdeniz2
1Assistant Professor, Dr. Department of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Faculty of Architecture, Gazimagusa, T.R. of Northern Cyprus Turkey
2Professor, Department of Architecture, European University of Lefke, Faculty of Architecture, Gemikonağı, T.R. of Northern Cyprus Turkey

Correspondence to: *Halil Z. Alibaba, Assistant Professor, Dr., Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimagusa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, via Mersin 10 Turkey Tel: +90-392-630-1142 Fax: +90-392-630-2365 E-mail: halil.alibaba@emu.edu.tr

Abstract

The energy performance and thermal comfort of an office building with single and double skin facades, in a warm climate was studied using TAS software. A double-skin facade is an envelope construction that consists of two transparent surfaces separated by a cavity. The extra skin can reduce cooling demand in summer and heating demand in winter. It is concluded that in a warm climate office, a double skin facade can perform better than a single skin facade. In a warm climate a double skin facade fully provides heating and thermal comfort in winter. In a warm climate however its benefit in summer is limited. Further studies are needed to increase the performance of double skin facades in summer.

Keywords:

double-skin facade, single-skin facade, thermal comfort, energy performance, TAS software

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