Evaluating Overheating Risk and Mitigation Strategies in Low Energy Houses in the UK: Two Sheffield Case Studies

Reducing carbon emissions in the housing sector through building and retrofitting to low energy standards might cause overheating and associated thermal discomfort. This paper investigates the overheating risks of a low energy retrofit and a new-build Sheffield dwelling in the current and predicted future climate, using steady-state and dynamic modelling tools. The findings suggest that both retrofitting and building to low energy standards increases overheating risk, unless prevention measures are included. The most effective overheating mitigation strategies suggested are reduction of glazing g-values, temporary internal shading, permanent external shading and night-time ventilation. With a combination of such adaptation measures, overheating is predicted to be minimal or non-existent in a future changing climate and active cooling might not be necessary for dwellings with appropriate passive measures.