Low-Energy Solution for a High Temperature Problem

Abstract

As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of summer heat events, Dutch residential buildings face growing risks of overheating. In response, occupants are increasingly turning to energyintensive air conditioning, further exacerbating climate impacts. This thesis investigates the effectiveness of passive and low-energy cooling strategies in enhancing thermal comfort and heat resilience in existing Dutch dwellings under future summer climate conditions. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining dynamic thermal simulations in Honeybee with resident questionnaires and expert interviews, applied to three typical housing types: detached, terraced, and apartment buildings. The results show that the most effective strategies vary by room function. For living rooms, temperaturebased ventilation, cross-ventilation, existing lightweight construction, and the addition of ceiling fans and solar shading proved most effective. For bedrooms, night ventilation combined with renovated construction and the same additional measures offered the best performance. Ceiling fans alone consistently outperformed both solar shading and green roofs in reducing thermal discomfort. Interviews and survey responses further revealed that residents and professionals continue to prioritize winter comfort over summer comfort, and value affordability, low energy use, environmental impact, ease of installation, and minimal maintenance—factors not captured by thermal metrics alone. The findings suggest that, when occupancy hours are taken into account and strategies are applied in targeted combinations, passive and low-energy measures can significantly reduce overheating and dependence on air conditioning. When incorporated across multiple levels of the built environment, this could contribute to more sustainable and climate-resilient housing in the Netherlands.