Bioclimatic strategies for enhancing thermal comfort in naturally ventilated rural schools in Mexico

This study examines, using thermal simulations, the impact of bioclimatic strategies on thermal comfort in typical Mexican rural schools under natural ventilation conditions in a representative locality of each one of Mexico’s ten climates. Six cases with natural ventilation were considered: a Base case, four cases applying individual bioclimatic strategies: orientation and solar protection, window aperture, exterior color, and clothing adjustment, and one case integrating all strategies. When evaluating bioclimatic strategies individually in naturally ventilated rural schools, the percentage of occupied time within thermal comfort increased up to 20%, depending on the climate. For all climates, clothing adjustment is the most effective strategy. For semi-cold and temperate climates, window aperture is also very effective, while for hot climates, the exterior color provides a significant increase in thermal comfort. This research also analyzes the school energy consumption when air-conditioning is used. Two cases were analyzed: a Base case and one incorporating all bioclimatic strategies except window aperture. In air-conditioned schools, cooling is necessary across all climates to remove the heat generated by occupants and equipment. However, applying bioclimatic strategies leads to significant energy savings, ranging from 16% to 54%. The addition of an exterior insulating layer on walls and roofs is beneficial for some climates, but prejudicial for others; it increases the electric energy consumption up to 45.0% in the hot subhumid climate. The findings of this research can be applied to similar climates worldwide.