Effective January 1, 2023, the 2020 environmental regulation (RE2020) replaces the previous 2012 thermal regulation (RT2012), which governs building construction. It focuses on three new objectives: reducing the carbon impact of buildings, optimizing their energy performance, and ensuring summer comfort. In this article, we will explain what summer comfort is and how RE2020 can help optimize it.
Understanding summer comfort
Summer comfort is defined by a building's ability to maintain a pleasant indoor temperature during hot periods of the year without the use of cooling systems. It depends on several factors, such as the building's design, the choice of construction and insulation materials, the building's thermal inertia, ventilation, and solar protection.
Factors influencing summer comfort:
- The orientation of the building
- Orientation and glazed area
- Ventilation
- Material characteristics
- The design of the building and its walls
Certain construction principles can have a real impact on summer comfort:
- Building heavy, thick walls to promote thermal inertia
- Insulate the walls, roof, and attic
- Limiting thermal bridges
- Anticipate the orientation and glass surface area
- Anticipate the position and shape of the building in relation to sunlight
- Create air movement to cool the walls
How can RE2020 help optimize summer comfort?
RE2020 proposes several measures to help optimize summer comfort in new buildings. Here are a few examples:
Higher thermal performance requirements:
RE2020 requires higher thermal performance for new buildings. Thermal performance requirements are measured in terms of "bioclimatic needs" and "primary energy consumption." Bioclimatic needs are defined as the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the building in summer, while primary energy consumption measures the amount of energy required to heat, cool, ventilate, and light the building throughout the year. By setting stricter requirements for bioclimatic needs and primary energy consumption, RE2020 encourages the design of more energy-efficient buildings, which improves summer comfort and reduces energy consumption.
Requirements for sun protection:
RE2020 sets requirements for solar protection, which must be taken into account from the design stage of buildings. Solar protection devices, such as blinds, shutters, or sunshades, must be adapted to local conditions to maximize their effectiveness. They must also be designed to minimize solar heat gain, while allowing sufficient ventilation to remove heat from the building.
Requirements for natural ventilation:
RE2020 requires new buildings to be designed to allow for effective natural ventilation. This may include features such as window openings, skylights, Trombe walls, and solar chimneys. Effective natural ventilation can help regulate indoor temperatures by removing heat from the building.
Requirements forthermal inertia:
RE2020 also sets requirements for the thermal inertia of materials used in the construction of new buildings. Materials with high thermal inertia, such as stone or concrete, can help regulate indoor temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night. The RE2020 requirements encourage the use of materials with high thermal inertia to improve summer comfort.
RE2020 helps optimize summer comfort in new buildings by setting stricter requirements for thermal performance, solar protection, natural ventilation, and thermal inertia. By designing more energy-efficient buildings, builders can not only improve summer comfort, but also reduce cooling costs and the building's environmental impact.
