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Simulation & Confort thermique

STD / SED &
confort d'été

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Summer comfort has become a major design challenge, intensified by climate change. RE2020 incorporates it as a full compliance criterion via the DH indicator. Anticipating overheating from the design stage guarantees a liveable, healthy building without systematic air conditioning.

Engineer working on dynamic thermal simulation software

Dynamic Thermal Simulation (STD)

STD models a building's thermal behaviour hour by hour over a full year, accounting for:

  • Local weather data (reference climate files)
  • Envelope characteristics: insulation, thermal bridges, thermal mass
  • Solar gains by orientation and glazing type
  • Fixed and moveable solar shading
  • Natural, mechanical and night-cooling ventilation
  • Internal gains (occupants, equipment, lighting)

The RE2020 DH indicator

DH (discomfort degree-hours) measures the cumulative gap between felt operative temperature and the comfort threshold (26°C daytime, 28°C night-time) over summer. RE2020 sets maximum DH thresholds by climate zone and building type. Exceeding them results in non-compliance blocking planning permission.

Overheating risk analysis — solar shading and ventilation
Overheating risk analysis — modelling solar shading and natural ventilation strategies

Detailed Energy Simulation (SED)

SED integrates complex energy systems in full: complex HVAC systems (heat recovery, geothermal, reversible heat pumps), renewable energy production, Building Management Systems, automated lighting management. Required for demanding labels such as HQE and BREEAM.

Our simulation software

  • DesignBuilder / EnergyPlus — world-leading, used for complex projects
  • Pleiades — RE2020-certified, integrating LCA and STD
  • TRNSYS — for complex energy system simulations

Passive solutions for overheating control

  • Thermal mass — concrete, terracotta, natural stone to buffer temperature swings
  • External solar shading — brise-soleils, shutters, orientable louvres
  • Night cooling ventilation — expel stored heat through the building mass at night
  • Greening — green roofs and façades to reduce solar gains

💡 Combining good thermal mass, external solar shading and well-sized night ventilation can achieve RE2020 DH compliance without air conditioning, even in H2 or H3 climate zones.

Un problème de surchauffe ou un projet à simuler ?

De l'étude de faisabilité à l'attestation réglementaire, nous modélisons le comportement thermique de votre bâtiment avec précision.

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