The use of transparent insulating materials in low energy consumption buildings, trough the study of thermal and optical behaviour

This article discusses the use of innovative transparent materials in residentialbuildings with low energetic consumption and describes a simulation of their performanceduring winter. The behaviour of these materials was studied both from a thermic point of viewand from the point of view of the quality of daylight illuminationTo simulate the behaviour of these materials, we used different forecasting software to measureand, at the same time, analyse their luminosity, their thermal characteristics and the resultingenergy saving.The results show a considerable saving in energy even in terms of the greater economicinvestment needed for the installation of these innovative surfaces. Results regarding drops inexternal temperature were also interesting, especially when the extra sunlight provided by thesematerials was considered. Another important aspect was the undeniable effects of low thermaldispersion guaranteed by the materials in question. The evaluation of the luminousmicroclimate, obtained thanks to a more efficient distribution of natural illumination, was alsopositive, as was that regarding thermal comfort created by the maximum exploitation of thematerial’s thermophysical and spectrometric characteristics.