Measured indoor temperatures, thermal comfort and overheating risk: Post-occupancy evaluation of low energy houses in the UK

Abstract

There is growing concern in Western Europe that higher insulation and air tightness of residential buildings leads to increased overheating risk. This paper discusses temperature monitoring from identical houses in the Southwest of the UK that were built to low energy standards (Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5). The temperature data were analysed using both established static overheating criteria (CIBSE Guide A) and an adaptive thermal comfort standard (BSEN15251). The houses can be considered uncomfortably warm during summer and are at risk of overheating. The study suggests that occupant behaviour plays an important role in reducing or increasing internal temperatures.