Motorized Windows: A New Approach to Saving Energy in Office Buildings (LB-17-C064)

Mechanical ventilation accounts for a significant portion of the total energy consumption in large office buildings. The air needs to be transported over large distances through ducts, it requires filtration and needs heating and cooling to condition the ventilated space. Most offices in North America have closed windows, and manually opening these windows for natural airflow is discouraged as this can interfere with the operation of the building’s HVAC system. The recent drive for energy efficiency has created renewed interest in using natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption. This paper suggests a new approach to natural ventilation by using motorized windows controlled by the Building Automation System (BAS) in existing buildings. This paper presents a detailed breakdown and analysis of the simulation results, including an economic feasibility analysis of the application of BAS-controlled motorized windows.