Experimental study of the performance of a novel solution with double skin façade and diffuse ceiling ventilation

In Denmark, about 80% of public schools were built before 1980, and most of them are with the Energy label D or lower. In addition, more than 60% of schools suffer from poor air quality and thermal comfort. The need for school renovation is undeniable. A novel renovation solution was proposed recently by combining double-skin façade (DSF) and diffuse ceiling ventilation (DCV). The integrated system can adapt its operating modes based on indoor and outdoor conditions. The performance of the above-mentioned solution was tested in a small-scale classroom and compared to a reference room with the traditional renovation solution. The results show that the novel solution was able to provide better indoor comfort than the traditional solution. Although significant overheating was observed in both rooms, the novel solution showed promise in mitigating the maximum operative temperature and shifting the peak hour. In terms of energy efficiency, the novel solution optimized the utilization of natural sources. The DSF was able to recover the transmission loss through the glazing and capture the heat gain by solar radiation. The heat recovery rate reached 1 when the solar radiation was strong.