The faults during design and installation phases are more critical with cooling systems than with normal HY AC systems: direct evaporated systems in particular require experienced engineers and mechanics. The most common fault is oversizing the systems and the design of the year-round-use system without winter conditions equipment. When the outdoor temperature is cold these systems present problems. The aim of this paper is to present the retrofitting concepts of cooling systems together with improved energy efficiency and operation of the system.

The paper is structured in four sections. The introduction sets the notion of solar control as a fundamental issue in deciding the priorities of climate-responsive design for different building types and locations in Europe. The second section presents an overview of application contexts and means of solar control, and discusses design priorities and threshold conditions for different space functions and environmental design requirements.

A short state of the art in heat attenuation studies and technology is presented, with reference to the climate conditions of Mediterranean countries. The main areas of mass, insulation, building shape, glazing and control are considered. The main problems pertaining to each area are discussed and the most promising perspectives illustrated. A possible scenario for a future European concerted action is proposed, considering both applied research, pre-normative studies, and industrial developments.