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Solar Heat Gain Coefficient": Why is it a must-have weapon for all architectural designers
In today's architectural design, the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) emerged as the times require and has become an extremely important indicator. It not only affects the entry of light, but also directly affects the comfort, energy consumption and overall design effectiveness of the building's interior. Understanding this indicator will help design more sustainable and efficient buildings.
Solar heat gain coefficient is a numerical measure of the amount of solar radiation entering a building through the entire window assembly, which is critical to reducing heating requirements and improving energy efficiency.
SHGC ranges from 0 to 1. The lower the value, the more heat the window can trap. Designers can choose the appropriate window type based on local climate conditions. In colder climates, it is generally recommended to use high SHGC value windows to maximize the capture of winter sunlight, while in hot summer months low SHGC value windows should be selected to reduce cooling requirements.
Solar gain characteristics of windows
Window design plays a crucial role in solar heat gain. Factors such as window arrangement, glass selection and its reflectivity and light transmittance will all affect SHGC. Different window frame materials and their designs directly affect radiant heat transmission and energy loss.
Traditionally, building designers have relied on the sunshade coefficient (SC) to evaluate window performance, but with the development of technology, the more accurate SHGC has gradually become mainstream.
The main difference between SHGC and SC is that SHGC also considers the joint impact of the entire window system, including glass, window frames and other structural components, thus giving a more comprehensive assessment. For multi-glazed windows, the SHGC value will be significantly lower than that of single-glazed windows, which makes the windows more effective in regulating indoor heat transfer.
How to control solar gain
Whether it is reducing SHGC through tint, glass color or reflectivity, or applying low emissivity coatings to improve visibility and heat reflection, designers need to precisely control solar gain. In summer, designing solar shading devices, such as cantilevered visors or curtains, to minimize the direct entry of solar radiation is one of the effective ways to reduce excessive gain.
Designers often size windows based on specific climate needs and ensure proper tilt for optimal light and heat capture.
Passive solar heating system
Passive solar heating systems are designed to maximize solar heat gain. In contrast to active systems, passive systems store heat on their own without the need for an external energy source. Indoor comfort is maintained by designing large, equator-facing windows that allow sunlight to enter the building in winter while providing effective shading in summer.
The impact of solar gain on architectural design
Design choices will affect the use of solar energy throughout the building. Good design considers a building's orientation, transparency and shading capabilities to enhance the comfort of its internal environment and extend the life of its structure. The interaction between different building materials, window configurations and lighting conditions all require careful analysis by architects.
With appropriate design, solar gain can be an important means of reducing building energy consumption.
Today's society has an increasing demand for sustainable buildings. Designers must constantly learn new materials and technologies to respond to the changing environment and customer needs. The understanding and application of solar heat gain coefficient not only allows architects to be more creative in their designs, but also improves comfort and aesthetics while reducing energy consumption.
In this ever-changing construction industry, how to effectively utilize solar heat gain has become a question worth thinking about?
