Climate change, hygrothermal modeling and the indoor environment

Predictions of climate change in the UK suggest that the exterior of UK buildings will face wetter and milder winters and warmer and drier summers. This paper examines the implications of climate change for the indoor environment and the boundary conditions necessary for hygrothermal modelling of building envelopes. Although many of the predictions imply relatively small changes in the mean climate, changes in the severity of extreme events will have much greater implications. An overview is given, emphasising the UK context, of the following issues: The extent and basis of current predictions for future climate change. The sensitivity to changes in climate of the boundary conditions necessary for hygrothermal modelling of buildings. Implications for the future health and comfort of building users. Possible interactions between climate change and other drivers such as the demographic changes leading to an aging population and changes in construction practice are examined.