Temperate and cold temperate climates Thermal mass

a modern school classroom natural ventilation opening windows , exposed thermal mass solid concrete floor soffit control summertime temperatures


thermal mass limiting summertime overheating

thermal mass ideally placed within building shielded direct solar gain exposed building occupants. therefore commonly associated solid concrete floor slabs in naturally ventilated or low-energy mechanically ventilated buildings concrete soffit left exposed occupied space.

during day heat gained sun, occupants of building, , electrical lighting , equipment, causing air temperatures within space increase, heat absorbed exposed concrete slab above, limiting temperature rise within space within acceptable levels human thermal comfort. in addition lower surface temperature of concrete slab absorbs radiant heat directly occupants, benefiting thermal comfort.

by end of day slab has in turn warmed up, , now, external temperatures decrease, heat can released , slab cooled down, ready start of next day. regeneration process effective if building ventilation system operated @ night carry away heat slab. in naturally ventilated buildings normal provide automated window openings facilitate process automatically.