Development of a solar-simulator-based test method for evaluating the thermal performance of windows.

摘要

A new method and test apparatus for evaluating fenestration solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-value have been developed. The unique feature of this method is that both solar heat gain and overall heat transmittance values (U-values) can be simultaneously determined, in an integrated approach, from performance measurements.; To evaluate the proposed method, performance measurements were conducted at an indoor solar test facility, the National Solar Test Facility (NSTF), located in Mississauga, Ontario.; To validate the proposed method, SHGC and U-values were compared against laboratory results obtained from the National Research Council and from computer simulation. Results show good agreement between the NRC U-values when compared with the NSTF-measured values.; This method allows for the testing of window thermal performance under controlled and repeatable solar irradiated conditions. Virtually any fenestration system, including complex windows and shading devices that may not be accurately simulated using currently available software, can be tested, provided that they are compatible with the calorimeter test cell size. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)