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A Review of Transparent Insulation Material (TIM) for building energy saving and daylight comfort

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  • Sun, Yanyi
  • Wilson, Robin
  • Wu, Yupeng

Abstract

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is a key strategy in responding to climate change and resource challenges associated with the use of fossil fuel derived energy. The characteristics of the building envelope play a decisive role in determining building operation energy. Transparent Insulation Materials (TIMs) add to the strategies that may be used to sustain these improvements: they can reduce heat loss by providing high thermal resistance while effectively transmitting solar energy and contributing to the luminous environment. In this review, key types of TIMs and their characterisation in terms of both thermal and optical behaviours are introduced as well as the benefits that may be realised through their application to buildings. Relatively few studies exist regarding the performance of window systems incorporating TIMs. To provide a clear picture of how to accurately predict the performance of TIM integrated window systems, this paper also explores the literature around window systems incorporating complex interstitial structures, as these share many of the same characteristics as TIMs. The experimental and numerical methods used to evaluate the thermal and optical characteristics of complex window systems are summarised and this body of research provides potential methods for tackling similar questions posed in relation to the performance of window systems with TIMs. Finally, this review introduces a method that permits the prediction of the combined thermal and daylight behaviour of spaces served by TIM integrated window systems. The results from using this methodology show that using TIMs over a conventional window system offers a range of benefits to the occupants of buildings. Thus, this review offers a workflow that may be used to assess and analyse the benefit of applying TIMs for building energy saving and daylight comfort in buildings subjected to varying climate conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Yanyi & Wilson, Robin & Wu, Yupeng, 2018. "A Review of Transparent Insulation Material (TIM) for building energy saving and daylight comfort," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 713-729.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:226:y:2018:i:c:p:713-729
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.05.094
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    Cited by:

    1. Sun, Yanyi & Liu, Xin & Ming, Yang & Liu, Xiao & Mahon, Daniel & Wilson, Robin & Liu, Hao & Eames, Philip & Wu, Yupeng, 2021. "Energy and daylight performance of a smart window: Window integrated with thermotropic parallel slat-transparent insulation material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    2. Yang, Xinpeng & Li, Dong & Yang, Ruitong & Ma, Yuxin & Duan, Yanjiao & Zhang, Chengjun & Hu, Wanyu & Arıcı, Müslüm, 2023. "Parameter global optimization and climatic adaptability analysis of PCM glazed system for long-term application," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    3. Jadwiga Świrska-Perkowska & Zbigniew Perkowski, 2021. "Selection of Parameters for Accumulating Layer of Solar Walls with Transparent Insulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-55, February.
    4. Jing Zhao & Yahui Du, 2019. "A Study on Energy-Saving Technologies Optimization towards Nearly Zero Energy Educational Buildings in Four Major Climatic Regions of China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-31, December.
    5. Pathomthat Chiradeja & Atthapol Ngaopitakkul, 2019. "Energy and Economic Analysis of Tropical Building Envelope Material in Compliance with Thailand’s Building Energy Code," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Kumar, Dileep & Alam, Morshed & Zou, Patrick X.W. & Sanjayan, Jay G. & Memon, Rizwan Ahmed, 2020. "Comparative analysis of building insulation material properties and performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    7. Agustín Torres Rodríguez & David Morillón Gálvez & Iván García Kerdan & Rodolfo Silva Casarín, 2023. "A Comparison of a Transparent Thermal Insulation System Filled with Refrigerants and a Pig-Fat Based PCM," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-28, April.
    8. Tewari, Kirti & Dev, Rahul, 2019. "Exergy, environmental and economic analysis of modified domestic solar water heater with glass-to-glass PV module," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 1130-1150.
    9. Jadwiga Świrska-Perkowska & Andrzej Kucharczyk & Jerzy Wyrwał, 2020. "Energy Efficiency of a Solar Wall with Transparent Insulation in Polish Climatic Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    10. Zhao, Xinpeng & Mofid, Sohrab Alex & Jelle, Bjørn Petter & Tan, Gang & Yin, Xiaobo & Yang, Ronggui, 2020. "Optically-switchable thermally-insulating VO2-aerogel hybrid film for window retrofits," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    11. Wang, Pengcheng & Liu, Zhongbing & Zhang, Ling & Wang, Zhe & Fan, Jianhua, 2023. "Inversion of extinction coefficient and refractive index of variable transparency solid–solid phase change material based on a hybrid model under real climatic conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    12. Lou, Siwei & Li, Danny.H.W. & Chen, Wenqiang, 2019. "Identifying overcast, partly cloudy and clear skies by illuminance fluctuations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 198-211.
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    14. Xu, Bin & Fei, Yue & Chen, Xing-ni & Xie, Xing & Pei, Gang, 2024. "Influence of selective infrared emissivity design on the radiative cooling effect of windows: Laws exploration based on transient analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).

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