Combined Effects of Exterior Shading and A/C Heat Rejection on Building Energy Consumption and Indoor Air Pollution Exposure

Exterior shading devices and outdoor units can be closely coupled since these two building components are commonly installed next to each other. This study uses a coupled EnergyPlus-Fluent modeling approach to examine how a combination of exterior shading and heat rejection from outdoor units can affect the ambient outdoor environment of a building, and how changes in the ambient outdoor environment can influence cooling loads and indoor PM2.5 exposure. Three exterior shading devices were simulated, including horizontal overhangs, vertical overhangs, and vertical fins. Data from wind-tunnel experiments and field measurements were used to ensure the accuracy of the airflow model, energy model, and pollution model developed in this study. Results indicate that horizontal overhangs could almost offset the increase in cooling loads due to increased ambient outdoor temperatures caused by heat rejection. The use of vertical overhangs did not always mean lower demand for space cooling when heat rejection was considered. Heat rejection, horizontal overhangs, and vertical overhangs could help reduce indoor PM2.5 exposure, while indoor air pollution was worse after the implementation of vertical fins. This study shows how exterior shading devices and outdoor units can be coupled to achieve better building energy efficiency and improved occupant health.

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