Experimental assessment of the performance of an active transparent fac¸ade during actual operating conditions

Results of an extensive measurement campaign performed on an active transparent fac¸ade during actual operating conditions are presented. The main aims of the research were: to assess the actual fac¸ade performance, both in terms of energy savings and enhanced comfort conditions, to obtain more detailed knowledge of its thermofluid dynamic behaviour and to highlight the weak points of this relatively new technology that still requires further improvement. The analysed component consists of a transparent mechanically ventilated fac¸ade integrated with an HVAC system. The fac¸ade is used as the exhaust outlet of the HVAC system. The temperatures, heat fluxes and air velocities in the ventilated fac¸ade were continuously monitored, over a period of 2 years, using a monitoring system with 34 sensors. In the paper, attention is focused on the measurement techniques that were adopted and on the critical analysis of the experimental data. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.