Heat waves

Building designs to be in line with energy efficient and carbon reduction goals, often focus on energy efficient techniques like high insulation, airtightness. However, these buildings are often subjected to overheating risks due to unforeseeable events like frequent heatwaves and power outages even in moderate climate zones like Belgium. Overheating risks in residential buildings have negative impact on the health of the building occupants (especially on the vulnerable occupants like elderly, infants and sick persons), causing sleep deprivation, heat stress and even mortality.