This graph is why:
This post uses a gift link which may have a view count limit. If it runs out, there is an archived copy of the article
This graph is why:
This post uses a gift link which may have a view count limit. If it runs out, there is an archived copy of the article
Most buildings in Europe are already well insulated but during hot spells it doesn’t keep heat out…
Not sure that’s how good insulation works, if it’s not keeping heat out, then it’s not that good of an insulation.
But I think I get your point, it’s good enough so that winter time heating doesn’t escape faster than it is produced, problem then being that nothing offers cooling in the summer months. Still ameliorated by better insulation.
Besides my experience of Central Europe is that insolvency ain’t all that good…
Insulation doesn’t mean anything beyond 48-72 hours of persistent temps. Human dwellings are not designed to be airtight, because we would suffocate.
Europe is already insulated to maintain internal temps double-digits above external temps during winter. The problem is they only have heaters; not coolers.
Insulation only works if night-time air temps are significantly different than daytime temps - like in arid desert regions. Whole house fans are extremely effective under these conditions.
Say the night time temp is 16C and the daytime temp is 36C. Opening the windows at night and turning the fan on will cool the house down to 18-20C. Then closing everything up in the morning (windows and blinds) the house will only warm up to around 25-27C during the day. Hot but not deadly.
When the temps peak over 40C and the nighttime temps are 30C, people die without some type of active cooling. Especially if the humidity is high as well. Even a window unit that pulls the temp down to 25C at night can save lives.