Thermal Characterization Of Living Wall Systems
Abstract
The energetic impact of several Living Wall Systems (LWS) was measured in the laboratory and in an outdoor test facility in Würzburg, Germany. It was found, that the usual rear ventilation of the systems reduces their thermal benefits in winter. When estimating the energy savings potential of LWS, the solar absorptance of the façade has to be taken into account. When installed on facades with medium to high solar absorptance values, LWS can even increase the heat losses in winter. In summer, the cooling potential of LWS is higher on facades with high solar absorptance values while it is strongly reduced on façades with low solar absorptance. However, when considering solar absorptance on walls to regulate heat losses in winter and heat gains in summer, this needs opposite measures, while LWS show their advantages equally in both seasons.