Night Ventilation and Shading

Passive cooling measures reduce internal temperatures without active refrigeration. Two robust options are night ventilation and solar shading.

Night ventilation

Purge heat at night by increasing air changes (natural or mechanical). Works best with exposed thermal mass and a sufficient night‑time temperature drop.

Solar shading

External shading (louvers, overhangs, blinds) blocks solar gains before they reach the glazing, outperforming internal blinds.

When it helps most

• Dry summer climates with cool nights (ventilation potential)
• East/West façades with high solar exposure (shading priority)

References

1. ASHRAE Fundamentals — Natural ventilation
2. IEA Annex 62 — Ventilative cooling