Thermal conditions and heat stress in low income households in Athens, Greece

Factors such as solar heat gain in summer, and natural ventilation in transitional seasons must be considered when designing energy-efficient residential buildings for hot summer/cold winter zones. In this paper, the rationale for defining thermal design of energy-efficient buildings is discussed based on results of field simulations on residential buildings. The paper describes a study in Athens and reviews a research to illustrate problems associated with measuring the direct health impact of high indoor temperatures.