Thermal and Other Performance Requirements for Residential Buildings in Hot Climates

Comfort requirements in summer in residential buildings are discussed together with the way they can be achieved in order to improve indoor thermal conditions by appropriate building design. The proper use of insulation on heat capacity properties and the use of light external colors are very important in order to eliminate or to min imize the use of air conditioning. The proper use of insulation properties can reduce very much the needs of heating in winter. Moisture problems are also discussed, with relation to problems of con densation and water penetration. Partial results of research in progress are presented.