Thermal simulation of a double skin façade with plants

Abstract

Using plants in building walls is a bioclimatic strategy to obtain savings in building energy consumption, between other important benefits of aesthetic, psychological and economic origins. The plant, as a living component of the facade, responses to the environment conditions in a very complicated way. The simulation of this response is not straightforward and some simplifications are needed in order to include it as a building component. The aim of this paper is to present two alternative simplified models to simulate a green wall with EnergyPlus. A discussion about why the green roof model cannot be used in a vertical green façade is also included. Both models are used to simulate a prototype with a green façade. Inside and outside glass temperatures, plant foliage temperature, and window heat gain and losses are calculated. The results are discussed and recommendations for simulating green façades are done.