Heat waves in buildings: A review of detection methods and performance assessment

• Percentile-based methods now dominate heat-wave detection in buildings. • Most studies do not assess the vulnerability of older adults. • Simulation-based detection is emerging as a growing approach in recent studies. • Existing indices do not account for cumulative indoor heat stress. • Metamodels could help to reduce simulation costs for extreme-heat events studies. Heat waves are among the most critical climate hazards, threatening both human health and the resilience of energy systems. Despite increasing attention in recent years, research on the interaction between heat waves and building thermal performance remains heterogeneous, with varied definitions and metrics across studies. This study presents a systematic review dedicated to this topic, analyzing 93 peer-reviewed articles to identify how heat waves are defined, detected, and linked to building performance and occupant well-being. Heat wave detection methods were categorized into climatological (absolute or relative threshold definitions), commonly accepted events, and simulation based. The relative threshold definition was identified as an effective method for selecting heat waves for building performance analysis. However, recent studies using simulation-based detection methods showed that external heat waves do not necessarily coincide with periods of extreme indoor heat. Investigators recommend using comprehensive heat stress indicators for simulation-based detection in future studies, while noting that current indices generally fail to capture cumulative heat stress. Vulnerability is also unevenly addressed, with comfort models still centered on young, healthy adults. In parallel, emerging metamodels offer opportunities to reduce the computational burden of large simulation studies. Finally, results indicate that peak cooling demand can arise during heat wave events that differ from those most critical for indoor environmental quality. Close collaboration among thermal simulation experts, meteorologists, public health officials, and urban planners is needed to develop comprehensive heat wave definitions and heat warning systems tailored to local contexts.