In the quest to slash greenhouse gas emissions and bolster energy efficiency, the construction sector is under the microscope. A recent study by Radu-Aurel Pescaru, a researcher at the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, has shed light on a critical aspect of this challenge: the energy performance of curtain wall facades. Published in the Bulletin of the Polytechnic Institute of Jassy: Constructions, Architecture Section, the research delves into the methodologies for assessing the thermal performance of these ubiquitous building elements, offering insights that could reshape how we approach new constructions and renovations.
Curtain walls, those sleek, glassy facades that adorn modern buildings, are more than just aesthetic statements. They play a pivotal role in a building’s energy consumption. According to Pescaru, “The building envelope, particularly curtain walls, significantly influences the total energy consumption for normal use.” This makes accurate assessment of their energy performance not just desirable, but essential.
The study focuses on the calculation methods outlined in SR EN ISO 12631:2018, a standard that provides a framework for evaluating the energy performance (EP) of building envelopes. Pescaru and his team conducted a study on a generic curtain wall element, examining how various parameters influence thermal transmittance. This is a crucial metric, as it indicates how well a material resists heat flow. The findings could help designers and energy auditors optimize their solutions for both new buildings and renovations.
One of the key takeaways from the research is the importance of considering linear bridging, a phenomenon where heat flows through the linear thermal bridges in the curtain wall. Pescaru explains, “Linear bridging can significantly affect the overall thermal performance of a curtain wall. Understanding and mitigating this effect is crucial for achieving the nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) standards that the Romanian government, along with European regulations, is pushing for.”
The implications of this research are far-reaching. As buildings become more energy-efficient, the demand for accurate assessment tools will only increase. This study provides a roadmap for designers and auditors, helping them navigate the complexities of curtain wall energy performance. It also underscores the need for continued research and development in this area, as the push for nZEB standards gains momentum.
For the energy sector, this research could translate into significant commercial impacts. As buildings become more energy-efficient, the demand for accurate assessment tools will only increase. This study provides a roadmap for designers and auditors, helping them navigate the complexities of curtain wall energy performance. It also underscores the need for continued research and development in this area, as the push for nZEB standards gains momentum.
The study, published in the Bulletin of the Polytechnic Institute of Jassy: Constructions, Architecture Section, is a significant step forward in our understanding of curtain wall energy performance. As we strive to create more sustainable buildings, research like this will be instrumental in shaping future developments in the field.