User Assessment of Low-Cost Inkjet-Printed Electrochromic Glazing

Abstract

Rising temperatures are leading to an increase in cooling energy demand and thermal discomfort due to overheating. Despite dynamic switchable glazing being a promising solution for controlling solar radiation while preserving user access to outdoor views, their cost is currently a barrier to their widespread adoption. The recent development of low-cost inkjet-printed switchable glazing offers a cost-effective alternative; however, its performance remains uncertain concerning its contributions to energy efficiency and user satisfaction in terms of thermal comfort and visual experience. This study presents a multi-domain evaluation of the performance of a novel low-cost inkjet-printed glazing with users in terms of their satisfaction with the environment, personal control and interaction. In comparison to a conventional façade with static glazing and external roller blinds, the EC glazing performed better than the conventional façade if the shading is fully down. In this case, higher satisfaction was measured in terms of view clarity, daylight access and colour in the room with the EC glazing. When comparing the performance of the EC glazing at the clearest state with conventional glazing with blinds raised, users’ satisfaction was not significantly different, except for the satisfaction with view clarity. Despite the long transition time of the EC glazing, users were not significantly dissatisfied with the speed of transition. Overall, these preliminary results show that this novel EC glazing is well-accepted by users especially as an alternative to traditional dark roller blinds, but further research is required to investigate its performance during summer.