101 Rules of Thumb for Low Energy Architecture

Chapter 5Rules and Strategies for Different Climatic Regions

• Hot-dry climate
• Hot-humid climate
• Cold climate
• Cold-winter/hot-summer climate
• Temperate climate

Rule 81. Design for Your Climate

The basic rule is that in cold climates we should aim to keep heat in (with insulation) and in hot climates we need to keep the sun out (with shading and light colours). In the following pages, the rules of thumb for different climatic regions are illustrated with the use of some imagined buildings. The different construction methods, planning factors (location of rooms, etc.), form, orientation and natural heating/cooling techniques are shown.

82 to 854 Rules for:Hot-Dry Climate

• 82. The key is to slow the rate of indoor heating ...