Technical Report snippets - Executive summary

 Executive Summary


In response to the call for an engineering solution for the increase of cooling efficiency in office buildings. One problem identified was that office buildings are still having the issue of relying solely on air conditioning to cool the office down.


A plausible solution to the reason why electricity bills are always increasing and never decreasing. Air conditioning makes up the majority of electricity consumption, making it an important factor in sourcing for improvements. It also plays a huge role in ensuring thermal comfort for the occupants within a building. Unfortunately, it is not commonly known that there are other methods to improve the cooling efficiencies in buildings without increasing the air conditioning load or temperature directly. Three possible solutions were sourced that can be implemented to both current and pre-built buildings, minimizing the need for any demolition or removal works to be carried out. Not only will this allow the liberty/flexibility of the clients’ design with the architecture, more time, money, and energy can be spent on more crucial factors instead of reconstructing existing window systems. The three solutions are a film that can be adhered directly onto current windows, a smart glass that can replace the current window glass material, and the installation of overhangs on the building facade. The application of the film becomes a seamless addition to current windows, while the overhangs double as a shelter. The smart glass would be more appropriate for old buildings that might undergo renovation or pre-built sites that would be keen on implementing new window systems. 


Better comfort for the occupants provides a conducive environment where productivity and performance will increase steadily. With the investment of these new and improved window systems, the net savings, in the long run, outweigh the costs for energy used for cooling. Both the film and glasswork similarly in ensuring that the heat from the sun does not enter the building, instead up to 80% of heat is being reflected back externally, minimizing the amount of heat retention on the windows. They also aid in reducing harsh glares from sunlight, one of which also minimizes the harmful penetration of harmful Ultraviolet (UV) Rays. Overhangs limit the area where sunlight can reach. Without any direct contact with the sun, windows do not heat up as much in the first place; as the saying goes “Prevention is better than cure”. These implementations decrease the cooling demand by at least 4% and can also increase the energy efficiencies within a building, resulting in a large sum of net savings. 


With the effects of global warming and climate change becoming seemingly more daunting in the future, every little effort plays a part in contributing to a larger cause.

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