Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios

Teixeira, José Pedro; Silva, Pedro Dinho da; Pires, Luís Carvalho; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis

doi:10.3390/en18215693

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Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios

by

José Pedro Teixeira

¹,

Pedro Dinho da Silva

^1,2

,

Luís Carvalho Pires

^1,2

and

Pedro Dinis Gaspar

^1,2,*

¹

Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

²

C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Energies 2025, 18(21), 5693; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215693

Submission received: 24 September 2025 / Revised: 24 October 2025 / Accepted: 27 October 2025 / Published: 29 October 2025

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Abstract

The intensification of thermal extremes increases the need for strategies that protect indoor comfort and reduce the energy demand of active systems. This study employs EnergyPlus dynamic simulations to evaluate how passive thermal design solutions for heating and cooling can minimize indoor temperature fluctuations. The analysis covers multiple locations to identify the most effective techniques for improving indoor thermal performance and energy efficiency. Results demonstrate that passive thermal strategies offer a sustainable and efficient approach to adapting buildings to extreme temperature variations, thereby reducing dependence on mechanical systems. The greatest reduction in energy demand is achieved by increasing the envelope’s thermal mass, particularly in hot and temperate climates. Enhanced insulation and green roofs are more effective in cold and humid climates. In addition, solar control measures, such as external shading and reduced glazing areas, help lower indoor temperatures in high-thermal-radiation regions.

Keywords: passive thermal solutions; building energy performance; climate change adaptation; dynamic thermal simulation; thermal performance; EnergyPlus; modeling

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MDPI and ACS Style

Teixeira, J.P.; Silva, P.D.d.; Pires, L.C.; Gaspar, P.D. Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios. Energies 2025, 18, 5693. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215693

AMA Style

Teixeira JP, Silva PDd, Pires LC, Gaspar PD. Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios. Energies. 2025; 18(21):5693. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215693

Chicago/Turabian Style

Teixeira, José Pedro, Pedro Dinho da Silva, Luís Carvalho Pires, and Pedro Dinis Gaspar. 2025. "Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios" Energies 18, no. 21: 5693. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215693

APA Style

Teixeira, J. P., Silva, P. D. d., Pires, L. C., & Gaspar, P. D. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios. Energies, 18(21), 5693. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215693

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Comparative Analysis of Passive Thermal Solutions for Building Resilience Under Future Climate Scenarios

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