AN ANALYSIS OF LIFE CYCLE COSTING AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF GLASS FACADES IN COMMERCIAL BUIDINGS [BUILDINGS]

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the impacts of glass façade material and window-wall ratio on thermal performance of a typical one-window room and air-conditioning costs required in commercial building use. Energy Plus simulation software would be used in the investigation to calculate the yearly air-conditioning electricity cost. Life cycle costing analysis is conducted from air-conditioning costs to gain better insight on conflicts and relationship between initial and life cycle costs with thermal performance. Such would require material prices from local façade suppliers. The best combination of façade material would then be determined with regards to total life cycle costs and yearly air-conditioning power consumptions to render it most cost and energy efficient. Based on hypothesis, high initial costs would result in low cooling energy consumption since prices often reflect the perception of quality. Interviews conducted with personnel from the industry gives better insight on the hypothesis. Views on significance of glass facades and feasibility of using life cycle costing are given. Results indicated that window-wall ratio has increased significance on air-conditioning power consumption. Usage of low emissivity glass has the least cooling consumption levels. However, when compared with total life cycle costs, solar control Graylite tinted glass has significant costs savings although higher power consumption levels. Interviews support the hypothesis that high initial costs results in lower power consumption except for two outliers. It also suggest that initial costs and appearance affects choice of façade materials in commercial buildings and it is not feasible to conduct life cycle costs unless building owners are occupants of building or can gain prestige and incentives from achieving Green Mark Award.