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Shades can keep the heat and glare of direct sun from coming through windows. They can also keep direct sunlight off of walls or roofs, to reduce cooling loads.
The simple act of opening a window can often provide immediate cooling effects. But how do the size and placement of that window impact the effect you feel? Window design and ventilation louver design greatly affects passive cooling potential, specifically natural ventilation.
Windows and other apertures bring in heat from sunshine, but can also lose heat by radiant cooling and by conducting heat better than most wall or roof constructions. Apertures and shading must be intelligently placed to take advantage of the sun's heat in cold locations and seasons, while not overheating in hot seasons.
Natural ventilation can still be an option even in hot climates, particularly in hot dry climates. Two techniques can be used to cool incoming air: Evaporative cooling and geothermal cooling.
Just like passive heating, cooling your building using passive strategies is important for reducing energy usage in your building. Specifically, utilizing passive cooling strategies like natural ventilation, air cooling, and shades can reduce your demand for mechanical cooling while maintaining thermal comfort.
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A modular, portable, energy neutral classroom that can be customized to suit a variety of climates.