Thermal performance study of retrofitting existing glazing curtain walls with vacuum glazing in Hong Kong
To reduce buildings'operational energy consumption,a method of retrofitting the glaz-ing curtain walls of high-rise buildings in Hong Kong with vacuum glazing was proposed.The thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort of the retrofitted and non-retrofitted curtain walls were comparatively studied through outdoor experimental tests.The results show that this energy-saving retrofit method can significantly reduce the internal surface temperature,internal surface heat flux,solar transmittance and solar heat gain coefficient of the curtain wall,while im-proving indoor thermal comfort levels.Specifically,the average reduction of internal surface heat flux is as high as 81.6%,and the maximum reduction in solar heat gain coefficient is up to 83%.This means that the proposed retrofitted solution can effectively contribute to a reduction in ener-gy use for cooling,and is suitable for using in cities with high cooling demand.The analysis re-suits will provide guidance for energy-saving retrofits of existing curtain walls in high-rise build-ings in hot-climate cities,contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality goals.
vacuum glazingglazing curtain wallsenergy-saving retrofitthermal performancethermal comfortbuilding energy consumption