The impact of human occupancy in thermal performance of a historic religious building in sub-humid temperate climate

The level of human occupancy in historic religious buildings influences the internal heat gains and thus the thermal comfort of the users. The temperate climate represents a challenge due to variations in temperature and relative humidity throughout the year, which are by no means extreme. Knowledge regarding human occupancy in historic religious buildings in temperate climates increases the possibilities of controlling and staying within a given comfort range for the users benefit. The objective was to determine the impact of occupancy on the thermal performance of a historic religious building located in sub-humid temperate climate, to increase the knowledge and to generate opportunities to decrease the excessive use of active systems prevalent today. The objective was approached with a numerical method that included monitoring periods and dynamic simulation to determine a novel passive cooling system that would maintain a determined comfort temperature for the longest time in summer. By implementing a novel passive cooling system, the results showed an impact on the operative temperature according to occupancy level, which reduced the cooling degree-hour by 80% and 66% at the upper occupancy with 80% and 90% satisfaction levels, respectively.