Roller shutters are passive systems that can be operated automatically to improve building energy efficiency based on different criteria. This paper aims to compare the effect of an occupant-based and a thermal-based control of roller shutters on heating and cooling demand in an academic space. We run dynamic energy simulations of a case study in the Mediterranean climate (Barcelona, Spain). We found that the automatic control of roller shutters can significantly decrease heating and cooling demand. Both controls here analyzed perform similarly, with a rough reduction in heating of 1/2 and in cooling of 2/3. Therefore, occupant-based controls can be good alternatives that reduce energy demand as well as preserve occupants’ capacity to satisfy their needs or wills. Automated control of roller shutters could perform better if based on the energy balance of solar gains, thermal conduction and infiltration through the window. In addition to solar shading, the thermal insulation and infiltration-control provided by roller shutters are also key to improving building thermal performance in the Mediterranean climate.