DFA CLIMATE CASE STUDY

The hot summers, cold winters, constant humidity, precipitation and frequent overcast days of areas characterized as a climate type DFA (Humid Continental Climate) pose significant challenges to buildings attempting to function as efficiently as possible. Throughout the years, houses built in Chicago, which falls within the DFA climate zone, have thoroughly clad their facades with windows. Operable windows allowed cross ventilation in the hot summers while welcoming daylight and heat in the cold winters. The frequent overcast days prevent the windows from being overwhelmed by solar glare and heat gain in the summers. 

The strategy to hunt for ventilation and daylighting in this climate zone as a priority in achieving efficiency is seen in the analysis of the Harm A. Weber Academic Center in Judson University. The building implements several strategies that work together to increase passive ventilation, heating and cooling the building while increasing daylight deep into the core of the building spaces. Although this strategy resulted in a significant reduction in active system demands, the building still requires active HVAC systems to properly heat and cool the building in the peak heat and cold waves of summer/winter. This is a result of the fluctuating characteristics of the DFA climate zone.