Solar shading and ventilation patterns: to what extent are they accurate to comfort expectations?

In temperate continental climates, the reduction of the solar radiation influence in summer season, over the comfort conditions of internal spaces, can only be achieved by natural means in two ways: one possibility is through occupants adjustments of themselves (clothing,activity, metabolism) and the second possibility is through occupants control of the energy flows (heat, light, sound) in-out the building (management of the envelope). The failure of one, or both strategies, can result in the compromise of internal comfort and as a consequence, the abuse of active non-renewable energy consuming devises. This paper assesses two main passivetechniques for overheating prevention: solar shadingand ventilation by analysing window opening and blind usage patterns of typical family houses. The study is conducted during working days and on weekends to address the home alone situation and the full house scenario. In each case internal gains by occupation and hourly management of the envelope can be opposed variables. Integral comfort perception (including thermal,visual and auditive comfort) does not always match internal temperature measurements. Criteria of how to address this problem are discussed, focusing on how to support intuitive management of the envelope and the correct selection of energy flow in-out the building.