thermal mass

building envelope

green roof

thermal comfort

air temperature

severe cold

insulation materials

Energy and Buildings

• Review of passive techniques such as PCM, insulation, natural and/or night ventilation was done and the references were grouped under climates A – D based on the Köppen - Geiger climatic classification. • Based on the heating/cooling dominant nature of the climate, appropriate passive techniques for each climate were suggested. • Insulation integration at the outer building surface is recommended for Type A and B climates, while insulation integration at the inner building surface is recommended for Type C and D climates. • In general, PCM integration is not beneficial for Type A climates, while integrating PCM at the outer building surface is recommended for Type B climates. Similarly, PCM integration at the middle or innermost layer of the building envelopes yielded better results for Type C and D climates. Maintaining healthy and comfortable indoors through passive ways is challenging due to the changing and extreme climatic conditions. The aim of this work is to review the thermal performance of buildings integrated with various energy-saving strategies and to recommend suitable passive techniques for buildings located in various climatic types. The passive techniques such as PCM, insulation, natural and/or night ventilation techniques were investigated and recommendations were made based on the Koppen-Geiger climatic classifications. A variety of reviews discussing the different aspects of the selection of passive techniques for building applications are available in the literature. Still, knowledge of which technique suits a particular climate and the factors that influence its selection is necessary for all engineers, architects, research personnel, and students who are into building applications. The outcomes of the detailed literature review are as follows: Buildings integrated with PCM, insulation, natural and/or night ventilation significantly reduce the building's energy demands. The crucial factors in selecting an appropriate technique for a specific building are building type and location, weather...

Effective PCM, insulation, natural and/or night ventilation techniques to enhance the thermal performance of buildings located in various climates – A review