Studying the impact of orientation, size, and glass material of windows on heating and cooling energy demand of the Gaza Strip buildings

Abstract EN

Window design has a significant impact on heating and cooling energy demand due to the fact that it causes a large part of heat loss or heat gain that enters through the building envelope.

The critical issue is how to design windows that minimize heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.

The study aims to examine the impact of orientation, size, and thermal properties of the glass material of windows on heating and cooling energy demand.

A parametrical study is carried out using “IES virtual environment” and “ECOTECT” software to estimate the effect of these three parameters on a typical residential building and room models in the climatic conditions of the Gaza Strip.

It has been concluded that the appropriate window design of the Gaza Strip buildings in accordance with the environmental conditions can effectively lead to reduce the energy demand and to meet the requirements of thermal comfort.

It is also found that the optimal window size for all facades is the minimum percentage of (10%) from the total wall area.

The direct impact of south window is considered the worst, as it causes the large energy consumption.

In addition, the study emphasized that using advanced glazing materials with low U-value is an important factor in reducing the energy demand.