DESIGN-AIDED TOOL TO SELECT WINDOWS FOR DAYLIGHTING AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN OFFICE BUILDINGS IN A HOT-HUMID CLIMATE

ABSTRACT Office buildings require high-quality indoor environments, but improving indoor environment quality often leads to increased energy consumption, especially in harsh climates. While daylight can enhance lighting quality, relying solely on it may not be practical due to its variability and control difficulties. Integrating daylight with artificial lighting can create a better visual environment and reduce energy consumption. However, selecting the appropriate windows for optimal visual and energy performance remains challenging for designers. This paper proposes a design-aided tool that assists designers in selecting energy-efficient windows by integrating daylighting with artificial lighting in office buildings in hot-humid climates. The tool considers different window areas, heights, and glazing types. It is based on a theoretical modelling approach that formulates an integrated base case model comprising thermal and lighting models using the Design-Builder program. Results showed that integrating daylighting with artificial lighting can lead to 12–19% total energy savings. The design-aided tool is presented in tables and graphs, enabling designers to find the expected energy savings for specific window design parameters or identify the ideal window design with the highest energy savings.