The Window Problem: Why Gulf Buildings Lose the Cooling Battle Before the AC Switches On
Almost every conversation about building energy in the Gulf starts with the air conditioning. Efficiency ratings, servicing schedules, district cooling, smart thermostats — all of it useful, all of it aimed at the same question: how do we cool this space using less electricity? It is the second question. The first one is quieter and rarely asked: how much heat are we letting in before the cooling system has to do anything at all? Across the region, the answer is usually “more than anyone budgeted for,” and the largest single reason is the glazing. Walls are insulated. Roofs are insulated. … Continue reading