RTQ-R’s shadings devices evaluation from a thermal and luminous point of view

Abstract Currently, the Brazilian Energy Labelling System for Residential Buildings, RTQ-R (BRASIL, 2012) values non-venetian shading devices with a maximum weight of 50% of the venetians performance, even though those shading devices show more effective thermal and daylighting performance. This study investigated the energy savings potential as well as the thermal and luminous performance of different shading devices in order to propose an adequacy of the current RTQ-R shading device rating system. Moreover, computational simulations were performed for four orientations in seven Brazilian bioclimatic zones and with seven different shading devices. From the computational simulations performed, a single rating system was proposed. The results indicated a considerable distortion between the simulations and the RTQ-R scores. Bioclimatic zones and solar orientation were noted to have a significant impact on the simulation scores, and, therefore, the study proposes a method that integrates both topics in the shading device rating system.