Experimental study of a modular Unglazed transpired collector Façade for building refurbishment

Abstract

The use of renewable energy sources available for buildings to reduce energy consumption and emissions has become extremely important over the last few decades. Unglazed transpired collector (UTC) façades absorb solar radiation to preheat the ventilation air at a low cost and with minimum intervention for existing buildings. In this study, a UTC façade module was built and monitored in the field in winter during the continental cold and dry climate of Cordoba, Spain. With the data obtained, the feasibility of the installation of this façade system was evaluated. The values of efficiency, effectiveness and temperature increase measured during the experiment were analysed statistically, and the influence of solar radiation and ambient temperature on them were studied. The values of efficiency and effectiveness presented widespread cumulative distribution functions with mean values similar to those reported in other controlled experiments found in literature. A case study was carried out to analyse the feasibility of installing a UTC façade to reduce the energy consumption of the ventilation load in a typical apartment. It was found that in 74.6% of the days considered in this study the ventilation heating demand would be covered. Refurbishment of building façades using this UTC modular approach could be considered an alternative to reduce ventilation and heating energy consumption.