Bioclimatic zoning is a powerful tool for generalizing construction guidelines for buildings aiming to improve their energy performance and thermal comfort, among other features. Reliable and accurate climate data is crucial for developing an effective zoning method. Additionally, other uncertainties, such as microclimates and future climate conditions, can also highly influence the resulting zoning. The present research aims to investigate how uncertainty regarding climate data can influence climate classification, considering the current bioclimatic zoning method for Brazil and exploring the impact of climate database accuracy, microclimates, and future climate behavior. To do this, the accuracy of climate data is assessed by comparing the standard weather data (i.e., recent typical meteorological years) with equivalent data from reanalysis (ERA5-Land) and an artificial neural network model. The Urban Weather Generator software is employed to model the influence of microclimates. This approach is calibrated based on dry-bulb temperature from an urbanized meteorological station using particle swarm optimization and subsequently applied in local climate zones. The climate change analysis is performed considering two emission scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5), three GCM models (HadGEM2, MPI-ESM, and NorESM1), and two RCM models (RegCM and REMO). All Brazilian cities (5570) are analyzed, but a deeper investigation is conducted in 34 representative cities. Errors in high spatial resolution data are less than 0.4 °C for temperature and 1.6% for relative humidity throughout Brazil. The urban microclimate causes a difference of 0.61 °C in annual mean temperature among urban contexts. Regarding climate change, the annual mean temperature tends to increase over time in Brasília, regardless of the emission scenario, ranging from 1.5 °C to 5.4 °C by 2090. The results show that the three sources of uncertainty analyzed can significantly impact the bioclimatic classification of the studied Brazilian cities.

Desk fans allow individual thermal adjustment in shared spaces which increases occupants' thermal satisfaction. When associated with the increase of room conditioning system setpoint temperature, they can also reduce energy use. In comparison to other Personal Comfort Systems (PCS), low-power desk fans can be very efficient for cooling. Nevertheless, previous studies identify some barriers to their implementation and show no clear guidelines on how to overcome them. Therefore, this study presents the results of a field implementation of desk fans in an open office in Brazil. The intervention consisted of providing one desk fan for each occupant and progressively increasing the setpoint temperature. Indoor thermal conditions were recorded simultaneously with occupants' thermal perception using sensors and surveys. Results show fans increased thermal satisfaction by 20 %. And, when fans were available, the preferred indoor air temperature increased by 1 °C. However, many constraints affect the results. Based on this experience, we propose guidelines for future implementation. We emphasize the need to understand the HVAC system, engage building operators, and apply gradual temperature modification. As occupants’ expectations had a great impact on the potential temperature extension, we suggest a way to limit temperature extension in future implementations.

Natural ventilation is a default conditioning strategy in the Brazilian residential sector, while fans and air conditioners are complementary strategies. However, climate change and the increasing air conditioning penetration in this sector threaten the prevalence of natural ventilation and the potential wind-driven (breeze) performance on households’ thermal comfort. A questionnaire survey launched across Brazil assessed multiple aspects of natural ventilation at home: perceptions, usage patterns and motivations behind its use or avoidance. Data analysis methods were multinomial logistic regression and contingency tables of categorical data. The findings indicated that households’ preference for a conditioning strategy related to income and energy-saving concerns (economic aspects). The frequency of use of natural ventilation showed a decreasing trend towards the higher income level and preference for air conditioning. In contrast, the frequency of use of natural ventilation tended to increase as households considered it more positively. Moreover, participants who preferred to use natural ventilation at home expressed less dissatisfaction with the oscillation and unpredictability of the breeze from natural ventilation. The survey outcomes highlight the benefits of a favourable scenario for natural ventilation at home, potentially impacting households’ preferences and routines.

User satisfaction surveys play a crucial role in assessing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Yet, existing databases predominantly reflect data from developed countries, limiting applicability to culturally and climatically diverse regions. This study emphasizes the relevance of evaluating IEQ satisfaction in office buildings by proposing a standardized, open-access occupant survey system (OSS) for global application. User satisfaction surveys were selected as references from literature for screening and content analysis. The proposed OSS features a two-part survey that triggers detailed questions based on reported IEQ domain-related discomfort frequency. Evaluation process to ensure survey validity incorporated feedback from experts and laypersons. Additionally, a broader application was carried out with 115 office employees. Results identified prevalent issues such as acoustic and thermal discomfort, varying between open-plan and private office layouts. Participants’ responses also showed a significant link between IEQ satisfaction and time spent at the workstation. Overall, the OSS demonstrates its potential as a cost-effective instrument to provide a comprehensive IEQ diagnostic based on occupants’ perceptions. Future iterations should integrate concurrent building measurements to enhance evaluation precision and broaden the applicability of the survey tool across diverse environmental and cultural contexts.