Performance of a Solar Spectrum-Selective Absorption Film as a Building Energy-Saving Retrofit in China

[Image: see text] The transparent envelope structures in existing buildings have caused so much energy consumption. As one kind of the energy-saving technologies and strategies, the solar spectrum selective absorption film (SSAF) is considered suitable for the retrofit of glazing systems. The energy-saving performance of the SSAF in different types of glazing systems under different climate zones in China was investigated via a field study and simulation experiment. The results indicated that SSAF slowed down the rise of indoor air temperature in the daytime and reduced the total energy entering the room. The effect of the SSAF on the single glazing system was more potent than that on the double glazing system. In the hot summer and cold winter zone, moderate zone, hot summer and warm winter zone, the SSAF could reduce the energy consumption of windows. The highest energy-saving rate reached 35.0% for the single glazing system and 28.3% for the double glazing system. However, the SSAF does not have the energy-saving potential in existing buildings that already have low-E double glazing systems.