FORM FACTOR LIMITS DEPENDING ON THE BUILDING SHAPES

The form factor (ratio of compactness) is the main criterion for assessing the building shape solutions in terms of their energy efficiency. Its values give a general idea of the future performance of the building envelope and determine to a great extent all subsequent actions and measures on energy saving in the operation of the building. His crucial role in energy savings is caused by the fact, that it defines one of the multipliers in calculating the heat loss through the surrounding structures. In case of poor building shape (with bad form factor) the requirements to the heat transfer coefficient U should raise to achieve certain (usually required) energy consumption in kWh/m2 per year.Based on an analysis of different building shapes of a specified volume, there are proposed formulas to receive the limits of variability of fo according a given volume. These limits of fo can serve as a quantitative criterion for the quality of project building shape in relation to the energy efficiencyThe form factor (ratio of compactness) is the main criterion for assessing the building shape solutions in terms of their energy efficiency. Its values give a general idea of the future performance of the building envelope and determine to a great extent all subsequent actions and measures on energy saving in the operation of the building. His crucial role in energy savings is caused by the fact, that it defines one of the multipliers in calculating the heat loss through the surrounding structures. In case of poor building shape (with bad form factor) the requirements to the heat transfer coefficient U should raise to achieve certain (usually required) energy consumption in kWh/m2 per year.Based on an analysis of different building shapes of a specified volume, there are proposed formulas to receive the limits of variability of fo according a given volume. These limits of fo can serve as a quantitative criterion for the quality of project building shape in relation to the energy efficienc