Scientific design of skylights

This paper intends to present a critical reality in contemporary design, the astonishing coexistence of buildings in which daylighting has been carefully considered and simulated, and others in which this issue is treated with haphazard design gestures. Although initial simulation models in the daylighting field were very much distanced from the actual practicing architect, this is no longer the case in our opinion, and also, it is a fact, that the role of apertures in all the relevant thermal exchanges that occur in buildings has been thoroughly recognized. However, many types of designs or even bioclimatic designs do not consider lighting simulations from the beginning of the design-process, and they are presented as correct if only the thermal balance meets, even at the risk of later energy waste in lighting devices and visual or physical discomfort

Estudio experimental sobre el comportamiento térmico de un nuevo tipo de techo-estanque para el enfriamiento pasivo en clima húmedo

En este trabajo, una nueva tipología de techo-estanque metálico, basado en el enfriamiento evaporativo indirecto, que incluye masa térmica confinada, se evalúa experimentalmente. Cinco sistemas de enfriamiento pasivo se han estudiado con este dispositivo experimental. Se analizan sus temperaturas características con el propósito de determinar en cada caso, su potencial de enfriamiento, así como, la influencia de la masa térmica en su comportamiento térmico. Entre las técnicas de enfriamiento pasivo aplicadas se encuentran el enfriamiento evaporativo indirecto (EEI) y el enfriamiento radiativo nocturno (ER). El sistema donde se combina masa térmica con enfriamiento evaporativo indirecto en el dispositivo experimental presenta una elevada eficiencia de enfriamiento; su valor aumenta a medida que las condiciones son más extremas. Un potencial de enfriamiento aun mayor se consigue al agregar al sistema anterior enfriamiento radiativo

Problems of house energy rating (HERS) in warm-humid climates

A building thermal response simulation method was developed in Australia by the CSIRO, starting in the 1950s and released as CHEETAH in 1986. This became the 'engine' of the NatHERS (National House Energy Rating Scheme) by 1995. NatHERS works well in the southern states of the country, where the primary use of energy is for heating. The paper first explores the problems of using this scheme for energy rating in the warm-humid climates of northern Australia. The contradictory requirements of air conditioned and open, ventilated 'free-running' houses are examined. Then the recent modifications to the program are outlined and the new version re-named AccuRate is described. The continued hostility to any such rating or regulation relating to thermal performance is discussed and the problem is illustrated by an actual example