Design optimization criteria for windows providing low energy demand in office buildings in Algeria

Much of the world's energy demand relates to the built environment. In Algeria, residential and tertiary buildings account for more than 41% of the energy consumed. In order to predict the potential of energy savings on heating and cooling by using an appropriate window in; office spaces, the study adopts the orthogonal method of Taguchi that has been rarely applied; on this sort of topics. Thus, to apply this approach, interactions between window parameters; affecting the energy efficiency design of the window in an office room were first isolated by a; building energy simulation program. Their effect was evaluated by the use of extremes, and; then the potential of heating and cooling energy savings which was assessed by using a parametric method. The study defined the most prominent factors in the process of optimization of the window. In semi arid climate, window orientation was found to be the most prominent parameter. In the Mediterranean climate, the parameters relative to glazing were found to be the most important. While shading was the prominent parameter in the cooling dominated climate. For all climates and in all directions, it was found that a lower glazing ratio is the most efficient. Expect for semi arid climate in southern direction, the most efficient glazing ratio is 40-50%. The study established guidelines that, designers and operators can make use of in three major climatic regions of Algeria, and in similar climates.