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Passivecooling
Passivecooling(/sites/prod.yourhome.gov.au/files/pdf/YOURHOME2PassiveDesign5PassiveCooling
(4Dec13).pdf) [PDF2.2MB]

Tobecomfortable,buildingsinallAustralianclimatesrequiresomeformofcoolingatsome
timeoftheyear.Therearemanywaysyoucandesignormodifyyourhometoachieve
comfortthroughpassive(nonmechanical)cooling,aswellashybridapproacheswhichutilise
mechanicalcoolingsystems.
Themostappropriatepassivecoolingstrategiesforyourhomeincludingorientation,
ventilation,windows,shading,insulationandthermalmassaredeterminedbyclimate,so
firstidentifyyourclimatezonebyreadingDesignforclimate.Youcanthenapplythemore
detailedadvicehereandinPassivesolarheating.
AllAustralianclimatesapartfromtropical(Zone1)requiresomeformofheatinginwinter,
andthisaffectsadvicerelatingtocooling.Thebalancebetweensummercoolingandwinter
heatingshouldbeadjustedforclimatethroughappropriatepassivedesign.Tropicalclimate
buildings,whichrequireyearroundshadingandaresubjecttoverydifferentpassivecooling
principles,arediscussedseparatelybelow.
Theadviceinthisarticleappliestomosttypesofresidentialhousinghowever,additional
usefultipscanbefoundinBuyingahomeofftheplan,Buyinganexistinghome,
RenovationsandadditionsandBuyingandrenovatinganapartment.

Photo:SuntechDesign
Verandas,underfloorventilationandshadyplantingskeepthisDarwinclassiccomfortablein
theheat.
Heatwavescanaffectlargeregionsatthesametime,causingcombinedhouseholddemand
forcoolingenergytopeakforafewdaysorweekseachyearduetoincreaseduseofair
conditioningorheatpumpsforcoolingduringtheseperiods.However,withcarefuldesignfor
passivecoolingwemaydelayoreliminatethispeakdemand.

Whatispassivecooling?
Passivecoolingistheleastexpensivemeansofcoolingahomeinbothfinancialand
environmentalterms.SomelevelofpassivecoolingisrequiredineveryAustralianclimateat
sometimeoftheyear.
Ascoolingrequirementsaredictatedbyclimate,distinctlydifferentapproachestopassive
coolingarerequiredfor:
hothumidclimates(Zone1)wherenoheatingisrequired
temperateandwarmclimates(Zones26)wherebothheatingandcoolingarerequired
coolandcoldclimates(Zones78)whereheatingneedsaremoreimportant.
Eachclimateisdiscussedseparatelybelow.

Coolingpeople
Factorsaffectingcomfortforpeople(humanthermalcomfort)areoutlinedinDesignfor
climateandincludebothphysiologicalandpsychologicalfactors.
Tobeeffective,passivecoolingneedstocoolboththebuildingandthepeopleinit.

Evaporationofperspirationisthemosteffectivephysiologicalcoolingprocess.Itrequiresair
movementandmoderatetolowhumidity(lessthan60%).
Radiantheatlossisalsoimportant,bothphysiologicallyandpsychologically.Itinvolvesdirect
radiationtocoolersurfaces.
Conductioncontributestobothtypesofcomfortandinvolvesbodycontactwithcooler
surfaces.Itismosteffectivewhenpeoplearesedentary(e.g.sleepingonawaterbed).

Coolingbuildings
Theefficiencyofthebuildingenvelopecanbemaximisedinanumberofwaystominimise
heatgain:
shadingwindows,wallsandroofsfromdirectsolarradiation
usinglightercolouredroofstoreflectheat
usinginsulationandbufferzonestominimiseconductedandradiatedheatgains
makingselectiveorlimiteduseofthermalmasstoavoidstoringdaytimeheatgains.
Tomaximiseheatloss,usethefollowingnaturalsourcesofcooling:
airmovement
coolingbreezes
evaporation
earthcoupling
reflectionofradiation.

Coolingsources
Sourcesofpassivecoolingaremorevariedandcomplexthanpassiveheating,whichcomes
fromasingle,predictablesourcesolarradiation.
Varyingcombinationsofinnovativeenvelopedesign,airmovement,evaporativecooling,
earthcoupledthermalmass,lifestylechoicesandacclimatisationarerequiredtoprovide
adequatecoolingcomfortinmostAustralianclimatezones.Additionalmechanicalcooling
mayberequiredinhothumidclimatesandinextremeconditionsinmanyclimates,especially
asclimatechangeleadstohighertemperaturesduringthedaytimeandovernight.

Airmovement
Airmovementisthemostimportantelementofpassivecooling.Itcoolspeoplebyincreasing
evaporationandrequiresbothbreezecaptureandfansforbackupinstillconditions.
Italsocoolsbuildingsbycarryingheatoutofthebuildingaswarmedairandreplacingitwith
coolerexternalair.Movingairalsocarriesheattomechanicalcoolingsystemswhereitis
removedbyheatpumpsandrecirculated.Thisrequireswelldesignedopenings(windows,
doorsandvents)andunrestrictedbreezepaths.

Inallclimates,airmovementisusefulforcoolingpeople,butitmaybelesseffectiveduring
periodsofhighhumidity.Anairspeedof0.5m/sequatestoa3Cdropintemperatureata
relativehumidityof50%.Thisisaoneoffphysiologicalcoolingeffectresultingfromheat
beingdrawnfromthebodytoevaporateperspiration.Airmovementexposestheskintodryer
air.Increasedairspeedsdonotincreasecoolingatlowerrelativehumiditybutairspeedsup
to1.0m/scanincreaseevaporativecoolinginhigherhumidity.Airspeedsabove1.0m/s
usuallycausediscomfort.

Coolbreezes
Wheretheclimateprovidescoolingbreezes,maximisingtheirflowthroughahomewhen
coolingisrequiredisanessentialcomponentofpassivedesign.Unlikecoolnightair,these
breezestendtooccurinthelateafternoonorearlyeveningwhencoolingrequirements
usuallypeak.

Coolbreezesworkbestinnarroworopenplanlayouts.
Coolbreezesworkbestinnarroworopenplanlayoutsandrelyonairpressuredifferentials
causedbywindorbreezes.Theyarelesseffectivein:
buildingswithdeepfloorplansorindividualsmallrooms
longperiodsofhighexternaltemperature(ambientorconductedheatgainsabove35
40wattspersquaremetre(W/m2)
locationswithhighnoise,securityriskorpoorexternalairquality,wherewindowsmay
needtobeclosed.
Coastalbreezesareusuallyfromanonshoredirection(southeastandeasttonortheastin
mosteastcoastareas,andsouthwestinmostwestcoastareas,e.g.theFremantle
Doctor).

Inmountainousorhillyareas,coolbreezesoftenflowdownslopesandvalleysinlate
eveningandearlymorning,asheatradiatingtoclearnightskiescoolsthelandmassand
createscoolaircurrents.
Thermalcurrentsarecommoninflatter,inlandareas,createdbydailyheatingandcooling.
Theyareoftenofshortdurationinearlymorningandeveningbutwithgooddesigncanyield
worthwhilecoolingbenefits.

Coolnightair
Coolnightairisareliablesourceofcoolingininlandareaswherecoolbreezesarelimited
anddiurnaltemperaturerangesusuallyexceed68C.Hotairradiatingfromabuilding
fabricsthermalmassisreplacedwithcoolernightairdrawnbyinternalexternaltemperature
differentialsratherthanbreezes.Fullheight,doublehungwindowsareidealforthispurpose.
Furthercoolingcanbegainedbyincludingwholeofhousefans(seebelow).

Convectiveairmovement
Theruleofconvection:warmairrisesandcoolairfalls.
Stackventilation,orconvectiveairmovement,reliesontheincreasedbuoyancyofwarmair
whichrisestoescapethebuildingthroughhighleveloutlets,drawinginlowerlevelcoolnight
airorcoolerdaytimeairfromshadedexternalareas(south)orevaporativecoolingpondsand
fountains.

Convectioncauseswarmairtorise,drawingincoolair.
Convectiveairmovementimprovescrossventilationandovercomesmanyofthelimitations
ofunreliablecoolingbreezes.Evenwhenthereisnobreeze,convectionallowsheattoleave
abuildingviaclerestorywindows,roofventilatorsandventedridges,eaves,gablesand

ceilings.
Convectionproducesairmovementcapableofcoolingabuildingbutusuallyhasinsufficient
airspeedtocoolpeople.

Solarchimneys
Solarchimneysenhancestackventilationbyprovidingadditionalheightandwelldesignedair
passagesthatincreasetheairpressuredifferential.Warmedbysolarradiation,chimneys
heattherisingairandincreasethedifferenceintemperaturebetweenincomingandout
flowingair.
Theincreaseinnaturalconvectionfromthesemeasuresenhancesthedrawofairthrough
thebuilding.

Source:GreenBuilderSolarGuidelines(Residential)
Solarchimneysenhanceventilation.

Evaporativecooling
Aswaterevaporatesitdrawslargeamountsofheatfromsurroundingair.Evaporationis
thereforeaneffectivepassivecoolingmethod,althoughitworksbestwhenrelativehumidity
islower(70%orlessduringhottestperiods)astheairhasagreatercapacitytotakeup
watervapour.
Ratesofevaporationareincreasedbyairmovement.

Pools,pondsandwaterfeaturesimmediatelyoutsidewindowsorincourtyardscanprecool
airenteringthehouse.Carefullylocatedwaterfeaturescancreateconvectivebreezes.The
surfaceareaofwaterexposedtomovingairisalsoimportant.Fountains,mistspraysand
waterfallscanincreaseevaporationrates.

Photo:SunpowerDesign
Pondsprecoolairbeforeitentersahouse.
Mechanicalevaporativecoolersarecommonindrierclimatesandinlandareaswhererelative
humidityislow.Theyuselessenergythanrefrigeratedairconditionersandworkbetterwith
doorsandwindowsleftopen.Theirwaterconsumptioncanbeconsiderable.(seeHeating
andcooling)

Earthcoupling
Earthcouplingofthermalmassprotectedfromexternaltemperatureextremes(e.g.floor
slabs)cansubstantiallylowertemperaturesbyabsorbingheatasitentersthebuildingorasit
isgeneratedbyhouseholdactivities.

Earthcouplingutilisescoolergroundtemperatures.
Passivelyshadedareasaroundearthcoupledslabskeepsurfacegroundtemperatureslower
duringthedayandallownighttimecooling.Poorlyshadedsurroundscanleadtoearth
temperaturesexceedinginternalcomfortlevelsinmanyareas.Inthisevent,anearthcoupled
slabcanbecomeanenergyliability.
GroundandsoiltemperaturesvarythroughoutAustralia.Earthcoupledconstruction
(includingslabongroundandearthcoveredorbermed)utilisesstablegroundtemperatures
atlowerdepthstoabsorbhouseholdheatgains.

Passivecoolingdesignprinciples
Toachievethermalcomfortincoolingapplications,buildingenvelopesaredesignedto
minimisedaytimeheatgain,maximisenighttimeheatloss,andencouragecoolbreeze
accesswhenavailable.Considerationsinclude:
designingthefloorplanandbuildingformtorespondtolocalclimateandsite
usingandpositioningthermalmasscarefullytostorecoolness,notunwantedheat
choosingclimateappropriatewindowsandglazing
positioningwindowsandopeningstoenhanceairmovementandcrossventilation
shadingwindows,solarexposedwallsandroofswherepossible
installingandcorrectlypositioningappropriatecombinationsofbothreflectiveandbulk
insulation
usingroofspacesandoutdoorlivingareasasbufferzonestolimitheatgain.

Integrationofthesevariablesinclimateappropriateproportionsisacomplextask.Energy
ratingsoftware,suchasthataccreditedundertheNationwideHouseEnergyRatingScheme
(NatHERS),cansimulatetheirinteractioninanydesignfor69differentAustralianclimate
zones.
WhiletheNatHERSsoftwaretoolsaremostcommonlyusedtorateenergyefficiency
(thermalperformance)whenassessingahousedesignforcouncilapproval,theircapacity,in
nonratingmode,asadesigntooliscurrentlyunderused.Seekadvicefromanaccredited
assessor(AssociationofBuildingSustainabilityAssessors(http://www.absa.net.au/) orBuilding
DesignersAssociationofVictoria(http://www.bdav.org.au/) )whoisskilledinusingthesetoolsin
nonratingmode.

Envelopedesignfloorplanandbuildingform
Envelopedesignistheintegrateddesignofbuildingformandmaterialsasatotalsystemto
achieveoptimumcomfortandenergysavings.
Heatentersandleavesahomethroughtheroof,walls,windowsandfloor,collectively
referredtoasthebuildingenvelope.Theinternallayoutwalls,doorsandroom
arrangementsalsoaffectsheatdistributionwithinahome.
Gooddesignoftheenvelopeandinternallayoutrespondstoclimateandsiteconditionsto
optimisethethermalperformance.Itcanloweroperatingcosts,improvecomfortandlifestyle
andminimiseenvironmentalimpact.
AllAustralianclimatescurrentlyrequiresomedegreeofpassivecoolingwithclimatechange
thisisexpectedtoincrease.
Variedresponsesarerequiredforeachclimatezoneandevenwithineachzonedepending
onlocalconditionsandthemicroclimateofagivensite.
Maximisetheindooroutdoorrelationshipandprovideoutdoorlivingspacesthatare
screened,shadedandrainprotected.
Maximiseconvectiveventilationwithhighlevelwindowsandceilingorroofspacevents.
Zonelivingandsleepingareasappropriatelyforclimateverticallyandhorizontally.
Locatebedroomsforsleepingcomfort.
Designceilingsandpositionfurnitureforoptimumefficiencyoffans,coolbreezesand
convectiveventilation.
Locatemechanicallycooledroomsinthermallyprotectedareas(i.e.highlyinsulated,
shadedandwellsealed).

Thermalmass
Thermalmassisthestoragesystemforwarmthandcoolth(theabsenceofwarmth)in
passivedesign.

Climateresponsivedesignmeanspositioningthermalmasswhereitisexposedto
appropriatelevelsofpassivesummercooling(andsolarheatinginwinter).Badlypositioned
massheatsupandradiatesheatwellintothenightwhenexternaltemperatureshave
dropped.Asaruleofthumb,avoidorlimitthermalmassinupstairssleepingareas.In
climateswithlittleornoheatingrequirement,lowmassisgenerallythepreferredoption.(see
Thermalmass)
Earthcoupledconcreteslabsongroundprovideaheatsinkwheredeepearthtemperatures
(at3mdepthormore)arefavourable,butshouldbeavoidedinclimateswheredeepearth
temperaturescontributetoheatgain.Intheseregions,useopenventedfloorswithhigh
levelsofinsulationtoavoidheatgain.

Inregionswheredeepearthtemperaturesarelower,considerenclosingsubfloorareasto
allowearthcouplingtoreducetemperaturesandthereforeheatgains.

Windowsandshading
Windowsandshadingarethemostcriticalelementsinpassivecooling.Theyarethemain
sourceofheatgain,viadirectradiationandconduction,andofcooling,viacross,stackand
fandrawnventilation,coolbreezeaccessandnightpurging.(seeGlazingShading)
Lowsunanglesthrougheastandwestfacingwindowsincreaseheatgain,whilenorthfacing
windows(southintropics)transmitlessheatinsummerbecausethehigheranglesof
incidencereflectmoreradiation.

Source:AssociationofBuildingSustainabilityAssessors(ABSA)
Relationshipbetweensunangleandheatgain.

Airmovementandventilation
Designtomaximisebeneficialcoolingbreezesbyprovidingmultipleflowpathsand
minimisingpotentialbarrierssingledepthroomsareidealinwarmerclimates.
Becausebreezescomefrommanydirectionsandcanbedeflectedordiverted,orientationto
breezedirectionislessimportantthantheactualdesignofwindowsandopeningstocollect
anddirectbreezeswithinandthroughthehome.
Usecasementwindowstocatchanddeflectbreezesfromvaryingangles.

Source:DeptofEnvironmentandResourceManagement,Qld
Forbreezecollection,windowdesignismoreimportantthanorientation.
Winddoesntblowthroughabuildingitissuckedtowardsareasoflowerairpressure.To
drawthebreezethrough,uselargeropeningsontheleeward(lowpressureordownwind)
sideofthehouseandsmalleropeningsonthebreezeorwindward(highpressureorupwind)
side.Openingsnearthecentreofthehighpressurezonearemoreeffectivebecause
pressureishighestnearthecentreofthewindwardwallanddiminishestowardtheedgesas
thewindfindsotherwaystomovearoundthebuilding.

Airflowpatternandspeedfordifferentopeningareas.
Inclimatesrequiringwinterheatingtheneedforpassivesolarnorthsuninfluencesthese
considerationsdesignersshouldstriveforabalancedapproach.
Thedesignofopeningstodirectairflowinsidethehomeisacriticalbutmuchoverlooked
designcomponentofpassivecooling.Size,type,externalshadingandhorizontal/vertical
positionofanyopenings(doorsandwindows)iscriticalasshowninthediagramsbelow.

Source:SteveSzokolay
Airflowpatternforwindowsofdifferentopeningheight.Louvrewindowshelptovary
ventilationpathsandcontrolairspeed.
Considerinstallingalouvrewindowabovedoorstoletbreezespassthroughthebuilding
whilemaintainingprivacyandsecurity.Inclimatesrequiringcoolingonly,considerplacing
similarpanelsaboveheadheightininternalwallstoallowcrossventilationtomovethe
hottestair.

Positionwindows(verticallyandhorizonally)todirectairflowtotheareawhereoccupants
spendmosttime(e.g.diningtable,loungeorbed).
Inroomswhereitisnotpossibletoplacewindowsinoppositeoradjacentwallsforcross
ventilation,placeprojectingfinsonthewindwardsidetocreatepositiveandnegative
pressuretodrawbreezesthroughtheroom,asshowninthediagrambelow.

Usefinstodirectairflow.
Designandlocateplanting,fencesandoutbuildingstofunnelbreezesintoandthroughthe
building,filterstrongerwindsandexcludeadversehotorcoldwinds.

Planttreesandshrubstofunnelbreezes.

Planttreesandshrubstofunnelbreezes.

Insulation
Insulationiscriticaltopassivecoolingparticularlytotheroofandfloor.Windowsareoften
leftopentotakeadvantageofnaturalcoolingandwallsareeasilyshadedroofs,however,
aredifficulttoshade,andfloorsareasourceofconstantheatgainthroughconductionand
convection,withonlylimitedcoolingcontributiontooffsetit.
InsulationlevelsandinstallationdetailsforeachclimatezoneareprovidedinInsulationand
Insulationinstallation.Paycarefulattentiontoupanddowninsulationvaluesandchoose
appropriatelyforpurposeandlocation.
Inclimatesthatrequireonlycoolingorthosewithlimitedcoolingneeds,usemultiplelayersof
reflectivefoilinsulationintheroofinsteadofbulkinsulationtoreduceradiantdaytimeheat
gainswhilemaximisingnighttimeheatlossthroughconductionandconvection.Thisis
knownastheonewayinsulationvalve.
Reflectivefoilinsulationislessaffectedbycondensationandishighlysuitedtocooling
climateapplicationsasitreflectsunwantedheatoutwhilenotreradiatingitin.

Roofspace

Wellventilatedroofspaces(andothernonhabitablespaces)playacriticalroleinpassive
coolingbyprovidingabufferzonebetweeninternalandexternalspacesinthemostdifficult
areatoshade,theroof.

Wellventilatedroofspacesformabufferbetweeninternalandexternalareas.
Ventilatorscanreducethetemperaturedifferential(seePassiveheating)acrossceiling
insulation,increasingitseffectivenessbyasmuchas100%.Theuseoffoilinsulationand
lightcolouredroofinglimitsradiantheatflowintotheroofspace.
Usecarefuldetailingtopreventcondensationfromsaturatingtheceilingandinsulation.Dew
pointsformwherehumidaircomesintocontactwithacoolersurface,e.g.theundersideof
roofsarkingorreflectivefoilinsulationcooledbyradiationtoaclearnightsky.(seeSealing
yourhome)

Source:COOLmob
Usingventilationtocooltheroofspace.

Hybridcoolingsystems
Hybridcoolingsystemsarewholehousecoolingsolutionsthatemployavarietyofcooling
options(includingairconditioning)inthemostefficientandeffectiveway.Theytake
maximumadvantageofpassivecoolingwhenavailableandmakeefficientuseofmechanical
coolingsystemsduringextremeperiods.

Fans
Fansprovidereliableairmovementforcoolingpeopleandsupplementingbreezesduringstill
periods.
At50%relativehumidity,airmovementof0.5m/screatesmaximumcoolingeffectfaster
speedscanbeunsettling.Asnotedabove,airspeedsupto1.0m/scanbeusefulinhigher
relativehumidity,butprolongedairspeedsabove1.0m/scausediscomfort.
Standardceilingfanscancreateacomfortableenvironmentwhentemperatureandrelative
humiditylevelsarewithinacceptableranges.Inalightweightbuildinginawarmtemperate
climate,theinstallationoffansinbedroomsandalllivingareas(includingkitchensand
undercoveroutdoorareas)significantlyreducescoolingenergyuse.

Source:AdaptedfromBallinger1992
Airmovementrelativetofanposition.
Fansshouldbelocatedcentrallyineachspace,oneforeachgroupingoffurniture.An
extendedlounge/diningareaneedstwofans.Inbedrooms,locatethefanclosetothecentre
ofthebed.Becauseairspeeddecreaseswithdistancefromthefan,positionfansoverthe
placeswherepeoplespendthemosttime.(seeHeatingandcooling)

Wholeofhousefans
Wholeofhouseorrooffansareidealforcoolingbuildings,particularlywherecross
ventilationdesignisinadequate.However,theydonotcreatesufficientairspeedtocool
occupants.

Source:Breezepower
Wholeofhousefansshouldbepositionedcentrally,e.g.intheroof,stairwellorhallways.
Typically,asinglefanunitisinstalledinacirculationspaceinthecentreofthehouse
(hallwayorstairwell)todrawcooleroutsideairintothebuildingthroughopenwindowsin
selectedrooms,whenconditionsaresuitable.Itthenexhauststhewarmairthrougheaves,
ceilingorgableventsviatheroofspace.Thisalsocoolstheroofspaceandreducesany
temperaturedifferentialacrossceilinginsulation.
Controlsystemsshouldpreventthefanoperatingwhenexternalairtemperaturesarehigher
thaninternal.
Drawinglargevolumesofhumidairthroughtheroofspacecanincreasecondensation.A
dewpointformswhenthishumidaircomesincontactwithroofelements(e.g.reflective
insulation)thathavebeencooledbyradiationtonightskies(seeInsulationandSealingyour
homeforwaystomitigatethis).
Wholeofhousefanscanbenoisyatfullspeedbutaregenerallyoperatedintheearly
eveningwhencoolingneedspeakandhouseholdsaremostactive.Ifrunatalowerspeed
throughoutthenight,theycandrawcoolnightairacrossbedsthatarenearopenwindows,
provideddoorsareleftopenforcirculation.Onstillnightsthiscanbemoreeffectivethanair
conditioningfornighttimesleepingcomfort.

Airconditioning
Refrigeratedairconditioninglowersbothairtemperatureandhumidityandprovidesthermal
comfortduringperiodsofhightemperatureandhumidity.However,itisexpensivetoinstall,
operateandmaintain,andhasahigheconomicandenvironmentalcostbecauseit

consumessignificantamountsofelectricityunlesshighefficiencyequipmentisusedinavery
highperformancebuildingenvelope.Asitalsorequiresthehometobesealedofffromthe
outsideenvironment,occupantsareoftenunawareofimprovementsintheweather.
Airconditioningiscommonlyusedtocreatecomfortablesleepingconditions.Thenumberof
operatinghoursrequiredtoachievethermalcomfortcanbesubstantiallyreducedor
eliminatedbycarefuldesignofnewhomes,aswellasalterationsandadditionstoexisting
homes.
Runningarefrigeratedairconditionerinaclosedroomforaboutanhouratbedtimeoften
lowershumiditylevelstothepointwhereairmovementfromceilingfanscanprovide
sufficientevaporativecoolingtoachieveandmaintainsleepingcomfort.Someair
conditioningunitssimplyoperateasfanswhenoutdoorambienttemperaturedropsbelowthe
thermostatsetting,sotheycanreplaceaceilingfan.
Efficientairconditioningrequiresmorethansimplyinstallinganefficientairconditioner.
Hybridcoolingsolutionsrequireadecisionearlyinthedesignstagesaboutwhetherair
conditioningistobeusedandhowmanyroomsrequireit.Manyinefficientairconditioning
installationsoccurwhentheyareaddedtoahomedesignedfornaturalcoolingasan
afterthoughttoimprovecomfort.

Designofairconditionedspaces
Thereisusuallynoneedtoairconditionallrooms.Decidewhichroomswillreceivemost
benefit,dependingontheiruse,andtrytoreducethetotalvolumeofairconditionedair
space(roomsize,ceilingheight).Oftenoneortworoomsaresufficienttoprovidecomfort
duringperiodsofhighhumidityandhightemperatures.
Designfornighttimesleepingcomfortbyconditioningroomscommonlyusedintheearly
eveningwithbedroomsadjoining.Aconditioned,masonrywalltelevisionroominthecentre
ofafreerunning(passivelycooled)homewithsleepingspacesadjoiningitprovidesboth
directandindirectcoolingbenefits.Efficient(lowheatoutput)lightingandappliancesare
importantinsuchanapplication.
Acoolmasonrywallinabedroomgivesbothpsychologicalandphysiologicalcomfort
throughcombinedradiantheatlossandreliableairmovementfromfans.

Awellventilatedtropicalhouse.
Designconditionedroomswithhighlevelsofinsulationandlowestexposuretoexternal
temperatureinfluences,usuallyfoundinthecentreofthehouse.Adjoininglivingspaces
shouldbewellventilated,freerunning(passivelycooled),withfanstoencourage
acclimatisation,andprovideathermalbuffertoconditionedspaces.
Addresscondensationinexternallyventilatedroomssurroundingconditionedrooms.Walls
withhighthermalmasshavefewerdewpointproblemsthanlightweightinsulatedwallsand
canstorecoolth.
Wheninsulatedwallssurroundanairconditionedspace,avapourbarriershouldbeinstalled
betweenthewarmhumidairandtheinsulationmaterialtopreventtheinsulationbeing
saturatedbycondensation.Choosematerialsandfinishesthatareresistanttodamagefrom
condensationforanyliningsplacedoverthevapourbarrier:placingreflectivefoilinsulation
underaplasterboardwalllining,forexample,causesthedewpointtoformunderthe
plasterboard.(seeSealingyourhome)
Avoidconditioningroomsthathavehighlevelindooroutdoortraffic.Alternatively,use
airlockstominimisehotairinfiltrationorinstallanautomaticswitchingdevice(suchasareed
switchorothermicroswitch)tothedoorsleadingtotheairconditionedroomthatallows
operationonlywhenthedoorisclosed.

Operation
Identifythemonthsandtimesofdaywhenmechanicalcoolingwillberequiredanduse
controlsystems,sensorsandtimerstoreducetotaloperatinghours.Turnairconditionersoff
whenyougoout.

Setthermostatstothewarmestsettingthatstillachievescomfort.Experimentyoumay
find26Cquitecomfortablewhenyouthoughtyouneeded21C.
Adaptyourlifestylewherepossibletotakeadvantageofcomfortableexternalconditions
whentheyexist,tominimiseoperatingperiodsformechanicalcoolingsystems.

Climatespecificdesignprinciples
Climatespecificdesignresponsesandpassivecoolingmethodsaredifferentfor:
hothumidclimates(Zone1)wherecoolingonlyisrequired
temperateandwarmclimates(Zones26)wherebothheatingandcoolingarerequired
coolandcoldclimates(Zones78)whereheatingneedsarepredominant.

Hothumidclimatesrequiringcoolingonly(Zone1)
Duetotheuniquenatureofhothumidclimates,manystate,territoryandlocalgovernments
intheseregionshaveproducedarangeofexcellentdesignresourcesandadvice(see
Referencesandadditionalreadingattheendofthisarticle).
Hothumidclimatesrequireafundamentallydifferentdesignapproach.
Hothumidclimatesrequireafundamentallydifferentdesignapproachtothosecommonly
recommendedthroughoutYourHome,whichfocusespredominantlyonclimatesrequiring
bothsummercoolingandwinterheating.
Themostsignificantdifferenceisinthesizeandorientationofwindowsoropenablepanels
anddoors.Intheseclimates,modestamountsofwellshadedglazingcanandshouldbe
positionedoneveryfaadetoencourageairmovement.
Windowsorotheropeningsshouldbelocated,sizedanddesignedtooptimiseairmovement,
notsolaraccess.Asstatedearlier,winddoesntblowthroughabuildingitissucked
towardsareasoflowerairpressure.Locatelargeropeningsonthedownwind,orleeward,
sideofthehouseandsmalleropeningsonthebreeze,orwindward,side.Thisis
advantageousinthesecycloneproneregionssincecyclonesandcoolbreezescommonly
comefromanonshoredirection.(seeOrientation)
Otherelevationsshouldalsoincludeopeningsbecausebreezescomefromavarietyof
directionsandcanberedirectedordivertedthroughgooddesignandappropriatewindow
styles,especiallycasementwindows.
Anothercriticaldifferenceisthatthedesignerneedstomakeanearlydecisionaboutwhether
thehomeistobefreerunning(i.e.passivelycooled),conditioned(mechanicallycooled)or
hybrid(acombinationofboth).
Freerunningbuildingsshouldnotbeconditionedatafuturedatewithoutsubstantial
alteration:thisincludesreducingthesizeofopenings,addingbulkinsulationaroundthe
room(s)tobeconditionedandcondensationdetailing.

Designresponsestothechallengesofhothumidclimates

Highhumiditylevelsintheseclimateslimitthebodysabilitytoloseheatbyevaporating
perspiration.(seeDesignforclimate)
Sleepingcomfortisasignificantissue,especiallyduringperiodsofhighhumiditywherenight
temperaturesoftenremainabovethoserequiredforhumancomfort.Whileacclimatisation
helps,itisofteninadequateduringthebuildupandwetseasonespeciallyincitieswith
highlytransientpopulationssuchasDarwin.
Designresponsesconsidershading,airmovement,insulationandconstructionmethods.

Shading
Permanentlyshadeallwallsandwindowstoexcludesolaraccessandrain.
Considershadingthewholebuildingwithaflyroof.
Shadeoutdoorareasaroundthehousewithplantingsandshadestructurestolowerthe
groundtemperatureandthencethetemperatureofincomingair.

Airmovement
Maximiseexposureto(andfunnellingof)coolingbreezesontothesiteandthroughthe
building,e.g.largerleewardopenings,smallerwindwardopenings.
Usesingleroomdepthswherepossiblewithlargeopeningsthatarewellshadedto
enhancecrossventilationandheatremoval.
Designunobstructedcrossventilationpaths.
Providehotairventilationatceilinglevelforallroomswithshadedopenableclerestory
windows,whirlybirdsorridgevents.
Elevatethebuildingtoencourageairflowunderfloors.
Usehigherorrakedceilingstopromoteconvectiveairmovement.
Designplantingstofunnelcoolingbreezesandfilterstrongwinds.
Installceilingfanstocreateairmovementduringstillperiods.
Considerusingwholeofhousefanswithsmartswitchingtodrawcooleroutsideairinto
thehouseatnightwhenthereisnobreeze.
Choosewindowswithmaximumopeningareas(louvresorcasement)thatcanbe
tightlysealedwhenclosedavoidfixedglasspanels.Openableinsulatedpanelsand
securityscreendoorscanbeusedinsteadofsomewindows.
Uselightercoloursonroofandexternalwalls.

Insulation
Useinsulationsolutionsthatminimiseheatgainduringthedayandmaximiseheatloss
atnight,i.e.usemultiplelayersofreflectivefoiltocreateaonewayheatvalveeffect
andavoidbulkinsulation.

Construction
Uselowthermalmassconstructiongenerally.
Considerthebenefitsofhighmassconstructionininnovative,welldesignedhybrid
solutions.

Mixedclimatesrequiringheatingandcooling(Zones26)
WelldesignedAustralianhomesdonotrequireairconditioninginmostclimates.
Morethan50%ofhomesinwarmtemperateclimatesaremechanicallycooled.This
proportionisrapidlyincreasingoftenbecauseinadequateshading,insulationand
ventilation,orpoororientationandroomconfigurationforpassivecoolingandsuncontrol,
causeunnecessaryoverheating.

Warmhumidclimates(Zone2)
Energyconsumptionforheatingandcoolingcanaccountforupto25%oftotalhousehold
energyuseinthisclimate.InbenignclimateslikethecoastalareasofsoutheastQueensland
andnortheastNSW,achievingthehighlevelsofpassivethermalcomfortrequiredtoreduce
thisbyasmuchas80%isarelativelysimpleandinexpensivetask.
Designandorientatetomaximisethecontributionofcoolingbreezes.
Useearthcoupledconcreteslabonground.
Providehighlevelsofcrossventilationviaunobstructedpathways.
Useceilingfansandconvectiveventilationtosupplementthem.
Includeawelllocatedandshadedoutdoorlivingarea.
Uselightercoloursforroofandexternalwalls.
Considerwholeofhousefansinthisclimate.
Applyhybridcoolingprincipleswherecoolingisused.
Passivesolarheatingisrequiredduringwintermonthsandvariesfromverylittleto
significant.Integratepassiveheatingrequirementswithcoolbreezecapturebyproviding
passiveoractiveshading(eavesorawnings)toallwindows.
Employwelldesignedshadingandinsulationtolimitheatgainandmaximisesummerheat
lossinresponsetothespecificmicroclimate.(seeShading)

Construction
Usehighmassconstructioninareaswithsignificantdiurnal(daynight)temperature
ranges(usuallyinland)toprovidesignificantamountsoffreeheatingandcooling.
Uselowmassconstructionwherediurnaltemperaturerangesarelow(usuallycoastal)
toincreasetheeffectivenessofpassiveandactiveheatingandcooling.
Elevatestructurestoincreaseexposuretobreezesinwarmernorthernregions.
Eliminateearthcouplinginsouthernandinlandregions.
Usebulkand/orreflectiveinsulationtopreventheatlossandheatgain.
Useglazingwithalowtomediumsolarheatgaincoefficient(SHGC)andUvalue.

Hotdryclimateswithwarmwinter(Zone3)
Usecourtyarddesignswithevaporativecoolingfromponds,waterfeaturesandactive
(mechanical)evaporativecoolingsystems.Theyareidealforaridclimateswherelow
humiditypromoteshighevaporationrates.

Useevaporativecoolingifmechanicalcoolingisrequired.
Useceilingfansinallcases.
Usehighmasssolutionswithpassivesolarwinterheatingwherewintersarecoolerand
diurnalrangesaresignificant.
Uselowmasselevatedsolutionswherewintersaremildanddiurnalrangesarelower.
Minimiseeastandwestfacingglazingorprovideadjustableexternalshading.Highmass
livingareasaremorecomfortableduringwakinghours.Lowmasssleepingareascool
quicklyatnight.Highinsulationpreventswinterheatlossandsummerheatgain.
Considerhighmassconstructionforroomswithpassivewinterheatingandlowmass
forotherrooms.
Shadeallwindowsinsummerandeastandwestwindowsyearround.
Usewellsealedwindowsanddoorswithmaximumopeningareatooptimiseexposure
tocoolingbreezesandexcludehot,dryanddustywinds.

Hotaridclimateswithcoolwinter(Zone4)
Usehighthermalmassconstructiontocapitaliseonhighdiurnaltemperaturerangesby
storingbothwarmthandcoolth.
Usecompactformstominimisesurfacearea.
Maximisebuildingdepth.
Includecloseablestackventilationinstairwellsandthermalseparationbetweenfloors
intwostoreyhomes.
Useshadedinternalcourtyardswithevaporativecoolingfeaturesinsinglestorey
homes.
Usesmallerwindowanddooropeningsdesignedfornighttimecoolingandcool
thermalcurrentswhereavailable.
UselowUvaluedoubleglazingwithhighSHGC.
Ensurethatthemajorityofglazingisnorthfacingandpassivesolarshaded.
Avoidwestwindows.
Evaporativecoolingandactivesolarheatingsystemsreducetheneedforlarge,solar
exposedglassareasforheating(i.e.activeratherthanpassiveheating).

Traditionalandinnovativecoolingmethodsforaridclimates
Specialistpassiveandlowenergycoolingsystemshaveevolvedforhotdryclimateareasin
otherpartsoftheworld(e.g.MiddleEast,Arizona)whicharealsoapplicabletoalarge
portionoftheAustraliancontinent.
Theyintroducemoisturetobuildingstructures(suchasroofpondsorwatersprayedonto
evaporativepads)andincorporatestacksorchimneysthatuseconvectiontoexhaustrising
hotairanddrawcooler,lowlevelairintothebuilding.Thisaircanbeevaporativelycooledby

beingdrawnoverponds,orthroughmistspraysorundergroundlabyrinths.(Thesetowers
aredominantelementsandarethereforeanintegralpartofthefundamentalarchitectureof
thebuilding.)

ModernversionofanIranianBadgircoolingsystemwhereearthexchangeandevaporation
precoolincomingairdrawnbyasolarchimney.

Temperateclimates(Zones5and6)
Withgooddesign,temperateclimatesrequireminimalheatingorcooling.Goodorientation,
passiveshading,insulationanddesignforcrossventilationgenerallyprovideadequate
cooling.Additionalsolutionsfromtherangeexplainedherecanbeusedwheresiteconditions
createhighercoolingloads.
Designforcompactformincoolerzones,extendingtheeastwestaxisinwarmer
zones(seeOrientation).
Preferplanswithmoderatebuildingdepthtworoomsisideal.
Designfortheimpactsofclimatechangeandconsiderhighlyefficientheatpump
systemstocopewithincreasesinextremeweatherevents.
Usethermalmasslevelsappropriatetotheamountofpassivecoolingavailable(cool
breezes,consistentdiurnalvariations)andusethermalmasstodelaypeakcooling
needsuntilafterthepeakdemandperiod.
Choosewindowopeningstylesandpositionwindowstoensuregoodcrossventilation.
Orientateforpassivesolarheatinganddivertbreezes.
Employlargernorthernandsouthernfaades.
Designformoderateopeningswiththemajoritytothenorth.
Useminimalwestfacingglazing(unlesswellshaded).
Usemoderateeastfacingglazingandmoderatesouthfacingglazingexceptwhere
crossventilationpathsareimprovedbylargeropenings.
Usebulkandreflectivefoilinsulation.
UselowtomediumUvalueandSHGCglazinginmilderareasanddoubleglazing
whereambienttemperaturesarehigher.

Temperateclimatescallforgoodorientation,passiveshadingandcrossventilation.

Coolandcoldclimateswhereheatingdominates(Zones7and8)
Zone7requirescarefulconsiderationofcoolingneedsbecauseclimatechangemodelling
indicatesthatitislikelytobeimpactedbyclimatechangemorethanmostotherzones.
Thisnecessitatesashiftfromthecurrenthighthermalmassdesignpracticestomoderateor
lowmassdesignswithcarefullycalculatedglasstomassratiostoavoidsummeroverheating.
Highermasssolutionsremainusefulinhigheraltitudeandcolderregionswheresignificant
diurnalrangesarelikelytocontinuetoprovidereliablecoolinginallbutextremeweather
events.
Winterheatingremainsthepredominantneedinallbutthewarmestregionsinthese
zones.
Passivesolarorientationandshadingiscritical.
Onsiteswherepassiveheatingorcoolingaccessislimited,considerlowmass,high
insulationsolutionswithhighlyefficientreversecycleheatpumps.
Giveincreasedattentiontothedesignofhighlevelcrossventilationfornightcooling.
LowUvaluedoubleglazingwithhighSHGCishighlydesirableduetoitseffectiveness
inbothsummerandwinter.
Useawelldesignedcombinationofreflectivefoilandbulkinsulation.
Usemodestareasofglazingwiththemajorityfacingnorthwheresolaraccessis
available.
Minimisewestfacingglazing.
Passiveand/oractiveshadingofallglazingisessential.

Adaptinglifestyle
Applicableinallclimates,especiallyhothumidandhotdry,adaptinglifestylemeans
adoptingliving,sleeping,cookingandactivitypatternsthatrespondtoandworkwiththe
climateratherthanusingmechanicalcoolingtoemulateanalternativeclimate.

Highhumidclimatespresentthegreatestchallengeinachievingthermalcomfortbecause
highhumiditylevelsreduceevaporationrates.(seeDesignforclimate)
Adaptinglifestylemeansworkingwiththeclimateratherthanusingmechanicalcoolingto
emulateanalternativeone.
Acclimatisationisasignificantfactorinachievingthermalcomfort.Mostpeoplelivingin
tropicalclimateschoosetodoso.Theyliketheclimateandknowhowtolivecomfortably
withinitsextremesbyadoptingappropriatelivingpatternstomaximisetheoutdoorlifestyle
opportunitiesitoffers.
Sleepingcomfortatnightduringthehottestandmosthumidperiodsisasignificantissuefor
manypeoplelivingintropicalclimates.Sleepingcomfortgenerallyshouldbeahighpriority
whenchoosing,designingorbuildingahome.Differentmembersofahouseholdhave
differentthermalcomfortthresholds.Childrenoftenadapttoseasonalchangesmoreeasily
thanadultsdo.
Understandingthesleepingcomfortrequirementsofeachmemberofthehouseholdcanlead
tobetterdesign,positioningorallocationofbedroomsandincreasedthermalcomfortfor
allwithlessdependenceonmechanicalcooling.
Liveoutsidewhentimeofdayandseasonalconditionsaresuitableparticularlyinthe
evenings.Radiationbythebodytocoolnightskiesisaneffectivecoolingmechanism,
especiallyintheearlyeveningwhendaytimeheatloadshavenotbeenallowedtoescape
fromtheinteriorofthehouse.
Cookingoutsideduringhottermonthsreducesheatloadsinside.ThisAustralianlifestyle
traditiondevelopedtosuitourclimateisnotoftendirectlyconnectedtothermalcomfort.
Locatebarbequesoutdoors,undercoverincloseproximitytothekitchen,withgoodaccess
eitherbyserveryorscreeneddoor.Shadedbarbecueandoutdooreatingareas(insect
screenedwhererequired)facilitateoutdoorlivingandincreasedcomfort.
Sleepoutsareanidealwaytoachievesleepingcomfortandcanprovidelowcostadditional
spaceforvisitorswhooftenarriveduringthehotterChristmasperiod.
Varyactivehourstomakebestuseofcomfortabletemperaturerangesatdifferenttimesof
theyear.ThesiestaregimeofmostCentralAmericancountriesisapracticallifestyle
responsetospecificclimaticconditionsthatarealsoexperiencedinhighhumidandhotdry
regionsofAustralia.

Referencesandadditionalreading

Contactyourstate,territoryorlocalgovernmentforfurtherinformationonpassivedesignconsidera
yourclimate.www.gov.au(http://www.gov.au/)

AustralianBuildingCodesBoard(ABCB).2011.Condensationinbuildings:handbook.www.abcb.g
(http://www.abcb.gov.au/en/educationeventsresources/publications/abcbhandbooks.aspx)

Beagley,S.2011.Greenhousefriendlydesignforthetropics.COOLmob,NTGovernment,Darwin.
www.coolmob.org(http://coolmob.org/sustainabletropicaldesign/)
BureauofMeteorology(BOM).2011.Climateeducation:sustainableurbandesignandclimate.
http://reg.bom.gov.au(http://reg.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/cpeople/urban1.htm)
BureauofMeteorology(BOM).Windrosesforselectedlocations.www.bom.gov.au
(http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/selection_map.shtml)

Cairnsstyledesignguide.www.cairns.qld.gov.au(http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/buildingplanningandinfrastructur
landuseplanning/cairnsstyledesignguide)

Clark,M.2010.Designingforclimate.www.townsville.qld.gov.au

(http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/business/planning/planningscheme/Documents/Designing%20for%20Climate%20Research%2

Cole,G.2002.Residentialpassivesolardesign.Environmentdesignguide,GEN12.AustralianIns
Architects,Melbourne.www.environmentdesignguide.com.au(http://www.environmentdesignguide.com.au/)

COOLmobSustainablelivingforthetropics.www.coolmob.org/design(http://coolmob.org/sustainabletro
design/)

DepartmentofHousingandRegionalDevelopment.1995.Australianmodelcodeforresidential
development(AMCORD).AGPS,Canberra.www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
(http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/documents/planning/maroochy_plan/vol_pdf/qld_res_design_guideline.pdf)

Givoni,B.1995.Passiveandlowenergycoolingofbuildings.JohnWiley&Sons,Brisbane.

Hollo,N.2011.Warmhousecoolhouse:inspirationaldesignsforlowenergyhousing,2ndedn.Ch
Books,NewSouthPublishing,Sydney.
Hyde,R.2009.Climateresponsivedesign.FishpondAustralia.www.fishpond.com.au
(http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/ClimateResponsiveDesignRHyde/9780419209706)

Koenigsberger,O,Ingersoll,T,Mayhew,AandSzokolay,S.1974.Manualoftropicalhousingand
Part1climaticdesign.LongmanLondon.
NationwideHouseEnergyRatingScheme(NatHERS).www.nathers.gov.au(http://www.nathers.gov.au/)

Prelgauskas,E.2003.Aridclimatesandenhancednaturalventilation.Environmentdesignguide,D
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Prelgauskas,E.2004.Passivecoolingbuildingsystems.Environmentdesignguide,DES59.Austr
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QueenslandDepartmentofPublicWorks.2008.Smartandsustainablehomes.[additionalreading
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QueenslandDepartmentofPublicWorks.DesigningforQueenslandsclimate.[additionalreadingn
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ThinkBrickAustralia.Climatedesignwizard.www.thinkbrick.com.au(http://www.thickbrick.com.au/climated
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TownsvilleCityCouncil.2010.CityofThuringowaPlanningSchemepolicies:Climateresponsivede
housingClimateresponsivedesignexemplars.www.townsville.qld.gov.au

(http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/business/planning/planningscheme/documents/climate%20responsive%20design%20of%20ho

Wrigley,D.2012.Makingyourhomesustainable:aguidetoretrofitting,rev.edn.ScribePublication
Brunswick,Vic.

Authors
Principalauthor:ChrisReardon
Contributingauthor:DickClarke,2013

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