Overheating

As homes become more highly insulated, it is less easy for unwanted heat to escape during the summer months, resulting in a greater risk of overheating; a problem that is further compounded by a warming climate.

Alongside adequate ventilation and shading, the thermal mass provided by masonry construction offers another means of tackling overheating. Masonry’s thermal mass allows it to absorb and later release excess heat, helping smooth out the gains and stabilise the internal temperature. Heat stored in masonry is expelled at the end of the day by ventilating the building with cool night air. The combined benefit of thermal mass and night ventilation is accounted for in the SAP overheating check, which allows a reduction in the peak internal temperature of up to 3.5°C compared to an equivalent lightweight dwelling with night ventilation.

Read more on overheating and resilient homes at www.concretecentre.com