{"id":17504,"date":"2022-06-06T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neva.eu\/uncategorized\/passive-house-cooling-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-care-about-it\/"},"modified":"2022-08-22T11:21:44","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T09:21:44","slug":"passive-house-cooling-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-care-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neva.eu\/en\/advice-and-instructions\/passive-house-cooling-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-care-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Passive house cooling: what it is and why you should care about it"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shading technology reduces energy consumption for cooling<\/h2>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)<\/a> reports that by 2050, the average number of days per year on which buildings in Europe will need cooling <\/strong>will increase by approx. 30%. Due to global warming, air-conditioners have been the appliances with the fastest growing electricity consumption in recent years and are among the most power-hungry appliances in the home during summer days. And this is becoming a big problem, especially due to rising energy prices.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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The cost of running air-conditioning can be reduced by passive house cooling. According to a study<\/a> by Guidehouse, a management consultancy provider, external shading<\/strong> is a key element in preventing buildings from overheating<\/strong> and reducing energy costs. By installing external shading technology<\/a>\u2009\u2014\u2009i.e. external window blinds or roller shutters\u2009\u2014\u2009the need for air-conditioning in Europe could be reduced by approx. 60% in 2050.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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A house that does not overheat does not need cooling<\/h2>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Air-conditioning is used to cool and move air inside the house. However, if the building is designed in such a way that the heat does not get into the rooms at all, the temperature can be kept within comfortable limits even without an air-conditioner.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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In addition to installing external shading, you can take inspiration from proven methods for passive or low-energy houses<\/strong>. In general, the main objective thereof is to minimise the thermal effects of air exchange between the interior and exterior.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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  1. House layout and orientation<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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    The architect should design the house with the understanding that the simpler the shape, the fewer opportunities for heat to escape. The ideal shape of the house is, therefore, a square one. Houses set into a slope are very effective.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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    We also recommend that the rooms where you sleep face north<\/strong>. On the other hand, large windows in the living room are often placed facing the south where the light shines the most, to keep it bright and warm, especially in winter. Therefore, external shading is an integral part of their design. If you draw external blinds or roller shutters down in summer, you can cool the room by several degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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    1. Airtightness of the house envelope<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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      The \u201cblower-door test<\/strong>\u201d assesses the energy performance of buildings (you need to pass it, for example, when applying for a subsidy for a new building). You can ensure airtightness with high-quality and well-insulated masonry, roof insulation, insulating glass in windows (ideally triple glazing) and high-quality doors.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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      1. Other apparently minor measures to prevent overheating of the house<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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