Extreme weather events, including heat waves, are predicted to increase in both frequency and
severity over the coming decades. Low rates of house building and a growing population mean there
is a need to plan for climate adaptation of existing dwellings. This research uses dynamic thermal
simulation to model the effect of a series of passive heat wave mitigating interventions for UK
dwellings. The interventions include a range of additions and modifications to solar shading,
insulation and ventilation.
Results are presented for 19th century end terraced and mid terraced houses. Simulations were
performed for buildings with the front of the terrace facing both north and south, with two different
occupancy profiles: occupation by a family, at work and school during the day and by an elderly
couple, assumed to occupy the houses 24 hours a day. The simulations were performed for a 4-day
heat wave, during which daily maximum temperatures exceeded 350C. The results show the
effectiveness of interventions that reduce solar gains through the building fabric, such as external
wall insulation and light coloured walls. These are particularly effective for the end terraced house,
which has a much larger external wall area than the mid terraced house. Control of solar gains
through the glazing, by use of shutters and fixed shading, are also effective interventions, particularly
for south facing rooms.
The addition of internal wall insulation can help to reduce overheating for rooms occupied only
during the evening and overnight. However, it is shown to increase the overheating problem, when
compared to the base case houses, for living rooms occupied during the daytime. When considering
interventions to reduce overheating in dwellings, it is therefore critical to take into account the
residents and their corresponding occupancy profiles as well as house construction type, location and
orientation
