Research Article

Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq

Volume: 11 Number: 2 March 24, 2025
  • Tawfeeq W. Mohammed *
  • Dalmn Y. Taha

Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq

Abstract

The current work evaluates thermally the role of shading films in mitigating the heat gain through regular glazing unit, as an energy saving application. The study used experimental data collected in an actual building, and theoretical models used to calculate the heat gain and cooling load. The study served several reflective films with different colors, manners and shading rates. The measurements included the values of temperature (indoor and surface), solar radiation and light intensity. The results manifested the potential of these sheets to eliminate the solar radiation by more than 70%, and decrease the heat gain via up to 50% in comparison with the conventional clear window. A film with medium shading rate (50%) reduces the heat gain through the window up to 40%, which reduces the corresponding energy consumption by 290, 400, 480 and 540 W, in cases of using gray, red, black and retro-reflective films, respectively. This will save the energy by 3.7, 5.1, 6.2 and 6.9%. Furthermore, the use of very dark films leads to undesired rise in the internal surface temperature, as well as weak light indoor. The use of retro-films elucidates suitable light indoor and doesn’t show that rise in the surface temperature owing to the ability in reflecting the rays right back without diffusion. The novelty is presenting findings of a realistic and actual investigation for the effect of shading films in the reduction of heat passed through the glass of a building in an extreme hot area. However, the study can be considered as an effective passive technique to withstand the overheating due to global warming and assigned within adaptation and mitigation policy.

Keywords

References

  1. [1] Abdulsada G, Salih T. Experimental and theoretical study for the performance of new local thermal insulation in Iraqi building. In: Sayigh A, ed. Renewable Energy in the Service of Mankind Vol I. Springer: UK; 2015. [CrossRef]
  2. [2] Shayan M, Najafi G, Ghobadian B, Gorjian S. Modeling the performance of amorphous silicon in different typologies of curved building-integrated photovoltaic conditions. Iran J Energy Environ 2022;13:87–97. [CrossRef]
  3. [3] Inoue T, Ichinose M. Advanced technologies for appropriate control of heat and light at windows. Energy Procedia 2016;96:33–41. [CrossRef]
  4. [4] Abbaas E, Ismail M, Saif A, Ghazali M. Impact of window shading on the thermal performance of residential buildings of different forms in Jordan. Archit Eng 2023;8:25–36. [CrossRef]
  5. [5] Meng D, Li B, Zeng M, Li C, Dai R. Study on optical and thermal properties of low-E glass. Adv Mater Res 2014;1035:458–463. [CrossRef]
  6. [6] Jelle B, Kalnaes S, Gao T. Low-emissivity materials for building applications: A state-of-the-art review and future research perspectives. Energy Buildings 2015;96:329–356. [CrossRef]
  7. [7] Akaike R, Inoue T, Ichinose M, Izumi K, Iwasaki D. Combination control of blinds and lighting to reflect changes in natural light environment. J Illum Eng Inst 2014;98:218–223. [CrossRef]
  8. [8] Wang J, Liu S, Meng X, Gao W, Yuan J. Application of retro-reflective materials in urban buildings: A comprehensive review. Energy Buildings 2021;247:111137. [CrossRef]

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tawfeeq W. Mohammed * This is me
0000-0001-9316-2540
Iraq

Publication Date

March 24, 2025

Submission Date

June 3, 2024

Acceptance Date

August 22, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Mohammed, T. W., & Taha, D. Y. (2025). Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 11(2), 357-376. https://doi.org/10.14744/thermal.0000920
AMA
1.Mohammed TW, Taha DY. Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq. Journal of Thermal Engineering. 2025;11(2):357-376. doi:10.14744/thermal.0000920
Chicago
Mohammed, Tawfeeq W., and Dalmn Y. Taha. 2025. “Mitigating Solar Heat Gain through Windows of Buildings by Reflective Films: A Case Study in Iraq”. Journal of Thermal Engineering 11 (2): 357-76. https://doi.org/10.14744/thermal.0000920.
EndNote
Mohammed TW, Taha DY (March 1, 2025) Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq. Journal of Thermal Engineering 11 2 357–376.
IEEE
[1]T. W. Mohammed and D. Y. Taha, “Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq”, Journal of Thermal Engineering, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 357–376, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.14744/thermal.0000920.
ISNAD
Mohammed, Tawfeeq W. - Taha, Dalmn Y. “Mitigating Solar Heat Gain through Windows of Buildings by Reflective Films: A Case Study in Iraq”. Journal of Thermal Engineering 11/2 (March 1, 2025): 357-376. https://doi.org/10.14744/thermal.0000920.
JAMA
1.Mohammed TW, Taha DY. Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq. Journal of Thermal Engineering. 2025;11:357–376.
MLA
Mohammed, Tawfeeq W., and Dalmn Y. Taha. “Mitigating Solar Heat Gain through Windows of Buildings by Reflective Films: A Case Study in Iraq”. Journal of Thermal Engineering, vol. 11, no. 2, Mar. 2025, pp. 357-76, doi:10.14744/thermal.0000920.
Vancouver
1.Tawfeeq W. Mohammed, Dalmn Y. Taha. Mitigating solar heat gain through windows of buildings by reflective films: A case study in Iraq. Journal of Thermal Engineering. 2025 Mar. 1;11(2):357-76. doi:10.14744/thermal.0000920

IMPORTANT NOTE: JOURNAL SUBMISSION LINK http://eds.yildiz.edu.tr/journal-of-thermal-engineering