Thermal simulation of a double skin facade with plants

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 facade is also included. Both models are used to simulate a prototype with a green facade. 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 facades are done. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.