Impact of Shading Effect from Nearby Buildings on Energy Demand and Load Calculations for Historic City Centres in Central Europe

A study on the historic centre of Kraków reveals that shading from nearby buildings significantly impacts energy demand for heating and cooling, with potential implications for HVAC system design. Researchers found that a typical five-floor residential tenement house from the early 20th century experienced an 8% increase in heating energy demand and a 50% reduction in cooling energy demand due to shading effects. This suggests that incorporating shading considerations into energy efficiency measures could optimize HVAC installations, particularly in historic city centres where urban morphology plays a crucial role in building performance. The study used statistical climate data as boundary conditions for simulation calculations.

Sadłowska-Sałęga, A., & Wąs, K. (2024). Impact of Shading Effect from Nearby Buildings on Energy Demand and Load Calculations for Historic City Centres in Central Europe. Energies, 17(24), 6400. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246400