Conference article

Large windows and highly glazed façades have been increasingly used in new buildings; allowing the access to daylight; solar gain and external view. Solar gain through non-shaded windows and glazed facades extremely increases the air temperature in summer especially in hot climates regions; like Jordan. Therefore; it affects thermal comfort; increase the cooling load and become a source of glare which harms the visual environment. Generally; shading devices are used to protect inner spaces from direct solar gain through openings; windows and glazed surfaces. The current research examined the effect of using shading devices on thermal environment and air temperature in offices facing south-west façade at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). In such orientation windows required especial considerations to control solar gain in summer and winter. The research used real experiments to study effects of shading devices on thermal comfort. Three fixed shading devices; vertical fins and diagonal fins and egg crate; were installed in three identical offices. Thereafter; the air temperature was monitored and compared to non-shaded office. The results showed that the temperature in offices with shading devices compared to the office without shading devices was reduced to acceptable level. At the time of measurements diagonal fins perform better compared to other shading devices.

Shading devices; Thermal comfort; Cooling load