Conference Paper
Proceedings of BSA Conference 2024: Sixth Conference of IBPSA-Italy
Mitigating Summer Overheating of a Primary School Building Based on Dynamic Simulations
Mitigating Summer Overheating of a Primary School Building Based on Dynamic Simulations
Ágnes Marosi, Balázs NagyDOI: https://doi.org/10.13124/9788860462022_42Abstract: Overheating in buildings is a prevalent issue during summer, especially in school buildings due to their design and use. Despite schools being mostly closed during peak summer months, warmer temperatures in May, June, and September exacerbate the situation. We analyzed a primary school building in Budapest, conducting dynamic simulations to evaluate interventions such as flat roof renovations, window shading techniques, passive ventilation strategies, and a comprehensive ‘nearly zero’ energy retrofit. Systematic night-time ventilation proved an effective tool for summer cooling, offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution. The simulations revealed that the current state of the primary school leads to significant overheating. However, the cases revealed that systematic nighttime ventilation of the buildings is an effective tool for summer cooling. Additionally, installing shades proved beneficial, installing external overhangs or shades offers practical retrofit options. Conversely, flat roof insulation and energy renovation resulted in slightly worse summer overheating values. Among the solutions, light-colored reflective surface waterproofing performed the best, but further studies with green roof layering are still worthwhile. The study also revealed that a ‘nearly zero’ energy efficiency retrofit focusing solely on thermal insulation and airtightness led to higher indoor temperatures without altering ventilation patterns. This highlights the need for a balanced approach that includes both insulation and ventilation. Combining night-time ventilation with window shading was the most effective strategy to mitigate overheating in schools. These findings can guide energy renovations in educational facilities to enhance comfort and sustainability, ultimately creating a healthier learning environment for students and reducing energy consumption. Pages: 333 - 342 Paper: