Effects of added glazing on Balcony indoor temperatures: Field measurements

In this study the temperatures on 22 balconies (17 glazed) and adjacent flats were monitored with an aim to determine the key factors affecting the ability of a glazed balcony to warm up and remain warm without a heater. Considered were glazed balconies in different locations, the amount of glazing and building heat loss, the tightness of balcony vertical structures, and balcony ability to capture solar radiation. Temperature monitoring showed that over a year the air temperature of both glazed and unglazed balconies remained almost without an exception above the outdoor air temperature. On average, the temperatures of unglazed balconies were 2.0 °C and those of glazed balconies 5.0 °C higher than the outdoor air temperature. The three key factors affecting the glazed balcony temperatures seemed to be the level of air leakage in the balcony vertical structures, the balcony's ability to capture solar radiation, and the heat gain from an adjacent flat, in that order. The air tightness of the glazing was the most crucial factor, since it affected the results all the year round. Solar radiation was important from spring to autumn and heat gain in midwinter.