Experimental and numerical analysis on the influence of glazed balconies on energy consumption and indoor environment of communist-era flats in Romania

The purpose of the article is to study the impact of buildings balconies on the energy consumption and indoor parameters. Using both experimental and numerical approach multiple insights were found. The first part is focused on the analysis of 75 block of flats and the influence of closing the balconies on the energy efficiency. It was found out that most of the apartment's owners have individually closed their balconies (approx. 60%) proofing that this a desired solution with multiple advantages on the energy consumption reduction. The second part of the article is meant to show using experimental measurements the impact of glazed balconies on the indoor parameters - temperature and humidity. The measurements showed that the difference between the outdoor temperature and the balcony temperature being around 15 degrees C for glazed balconies. This is translated by a heating energy demand reduction of up to 70% for the rooms adjacent to these buffer spaces.