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 effectiveness 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, dehumidification/humidification, insulation, and green roofs. This research uses dynamic thermal simulations to investigate the efficacy of these strategies on a detached house in extremely dry, humid, and cold climates. Although the study found that insulation is the most effective design strategy, a range of context-specific design combinations can substantially reduce HVAC loads, with reductions of 39%, 32%, and 40% achievable for tropical, dry, and cold climates, respectively. These findings 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.

KEYWORDS:

• Extreme climates
• low carbon design
• simulations
• thermal comfort
• carbon footprint

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Argenis Toyo Diaz

Argenis Toyo Diaz is an Architectural Innovator, Technologist, and Designer with six years of experience in diverse-scale projects. He is a recent graduate of Architectural Technology and Building Performance from Edinburgh Napier University and has a research focus on net-zero carbon buildings.

Seyed Masoud Sajjadian

Seyed Masoud Sajjadian is a Lecturer in Architectural Technology and Programme Leader for M.Sc. Architectural Technology and Building Performance in the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University, UK.