The comfort and energy impact of overcooled buildings in warm climates

Around 18% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to building heating or cooling, driven by the adoption “international” thermal comfort standards such as ASHRAE-55, which imply an homogenous indoor environment. We argue that importation warm climates results in cold discomfort due “overcooling”: a phenomenon anecdotally recognised worldwide but not studied defined systematically. Unlike under- over-heating, overcooling is purposeful over-expenditure energy, creates conditions discomfort. examine data for and temperate from database spanning 27 countries with over 90,000 occupant responses investigate air-conditioned buildings. suggest best taking intersection sensation preference and, using this definition, we find 17% occupants examined classed being overcooled. estimate cooling energy demand imposed through ASHRAE-55 standard computer simulations move overcooled comfortable. The around 15% could saved simple upward adjustment set-point temperatures 2 °C climates. Such Global South, contains majority regions Earth, have dramatic impact on evolution future expected triple 2050.