Component blocks

rankoromane · Posts: 66

When modelling external shading fins using component blocks we want to know if these have thermal mass and transmit heat to the building they are attached to, because shading fins do act as thermal collectors as well as providing shade and this should be taken into account in the model. If they do not, is there another way to model fins that does allow for thermal transfer.

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1162 Location: Stroud

Component blocks do not have thermal mass and do not transmit heat by conduction to the building they are attached to - but they do reflect solar radiation and light - based on the surface properties of the component block material. This should account for most of the real heat transfer processes in shading devices.

I don't think there is an easy way to model conduction of heat from one surface to another in EnergyPlus - this is a 3-D conduction problem requiring special solution techniques.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Andy Tindale
DesignBuilder Support

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