Simulation-based evaluation of low carbon design strategies for extreme climates

Abstract

Extreme climate conditions present the greatest challenge in achieving thermal comfort in buildings. To address this issue, researchers have evaluated the e ff ectiveness of various low-carbon strategies in extreme climates, assessing their impact on comfort levels and carbon emissions. Among the strategies examined are shading, natural ventilation, dehumidi fi cation/humidi fi cation, insulation, and green roofs. This research uses dynamic thermal simulations to investigate the e ffi cacy of these strategies on a detached house in extremely dry, humid, and cold climates. Although the study found that insulation is the most e ff ective design strategy, a range of context-speci fi c design combinations can substantially reduce HVAC loads, with reductions of 39%, 32%, and 40% achievable for tropical, dry, and cold climates, respectively. These fi ndings underline the importance of carefully considering design strategies when constructing buildings in extreme climates. By employing a combination of insulation, shading, natural ventilation, and other low-carbon strategies, architects, and builders can create buildings that are more resilient and comfortable to inhabit while minimizing their carbon footprint.