Building User
Building users can influence both the performance of the building by their own behaviour (by adjusting the set-points for indoor temperatures, opening or closing windows, etc.) and the decisions of the building owner through rental agreements. Tenants with an environmental policy must be educated to ask for the service “Sustainable Summer Comfort” - and not just for a cooled building.
Individual Adaptation
An adequate combination of local and individual adaptation factors with regards to local climate and buildings such as flexible clothing, furniture, air movement and activity would foster personal natural comfort (both psychological and physical) while reducing energy consumption within the context of sustainable cooling. These possibilities allow for the use of passive cooling in a greater variety of climates; on the other hand, they allow setting maximum temperatures higher in mechanically cooled buildings.
Health and Productivity
Recently it has been more and more recognized that there is a strong connection between good indoor climate and two, very costly, factors in a working environment. Health in terms of increased frequency of short term sick leaves and productivity in terms of that the hole "system of employees" proves to function and produce much better when working in good indoor temperature with fresh air and good light conditions. An important factor here is for you, as the tennant, to make the building owner aware of this fact.
Operation and Maintenance
In a passive cooled building, the whole building becomes the cooling system, including the occupants. This complex system needs some understanding in order to operate well.
The Keep Cool checklist provides guidance on the right procedures to follow and the common mistakes to avoid.