Summer thermal comfort and self-shading geometries in Passivhaus dwellings: A pilot study using future UK climates

Lavafpour, Yahya; Sharples, Steve

Abstract

© 2015 by the authors. This study uses numerical thermal simulation to investigate the potential use of building geometry to eliminate or reduce current and future thermal discomfort overheating risk in UK Passivhaus dwellings. The study focused on the optimum inclination of a south façade to make use of the building shape to self-protect itself. Dynamic simulation modelling software was used to test a range of different inclined façades with regards to their effectiveness in reducing overheating risk. The research found that implementing a tilted façade could completely eliminate the risk of overheating for current UK climates, but with some consequences for natural ventilation and daylighting. Future overheating was significantly reduced by the tilted façade. However, geometric considerations could not eradicate completely the risk of thermal discomfort overheating, particularly by the 2080s.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 26, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jan 11, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 11, 2018
• Journal: Buildings
• Electronic ISSN: 2075-5309
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 964-984
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings5030964
• Keywords: geometry, Passivhaus, overheating, climate change
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/842891
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings5030964
• Related Public URLs: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings5030964
• Contract Date: Jan 11, 2018