Glass walls increase cooling load, shading reduces energy consumption by 53%.
Glass walls in UTP buildings let in a lot of sunlight, making them bright but also hot. This heat increases the need for air conditioning, using more energy. Researchers studied how heat moves through the glass walls and affects cooling needs. They found that shading devices and materials like blinds can reduce solar radiation by up to 53%, lowering the cooling load. The direction of the sun also plays a role, affecting different areas of the buildings throughout the day. Actual measurements showed that clouds and shading materials can decrease the amount of sunlight reaching the buildings.