Comparative Analysis Between Indoor Temperatures of Dwellings at Urban Scale During a Typical and Extreme Summers in a Temperate Climate

This study examines the impact of heatwaves on indoor operative temperatures of dwellings in Pamplona (north of Spain) and presents a comparative analysis of a typical summer and two extreme summers with heatwaves in 2003 and 2022. The assessment was conducted in two neighbourhoods with different urban morphologies and built periods related to different energy regulations in Spain. EnergyPlus was used to simulate each residential typology for 5 months in 8 different orientations and with the constructive characteristics that correspond to its built period. The Urban Weather Generator tool was used to consider the microclimate of each neighbourhood. The results showed that dwellings in the older neighbourhood, located on top floors, with one orientation and with large windows had the highest temperatures. These results are strengthened in extreme hot summers with heatwaves compared to those derived from the typical climate series. The evaluation of indoor temperatures of dwellings in two different climatic situations highlighted the importance of assessing temperatures through summers with heatwaves to analyse dwellings' behaviour to high temperatures, even in temperate climates. The urban approach and temperature analysis in relation to building parameters allowed the identification of dwellings with higher indoor temperatures and the key building parameters (built period, floor level, orientation, window area and number of orientations) for the future objective of designing passive measures to adapt dwellings to warming conditions.