Evaluation of Thermal Comfort Conditions in Retrofitted Facades Using Test Cells and Considering Overheating Scenarios in a Mediterranean Climate

Abstract

Energy retrofitting of the housing stock is a priority in current regulatory standards as a means of reducing energy consumption. The strategies used in retrofitting housing stock ought to respond both to regulatory conditions and to two challenges: specific climate conditions and the improvement of comfort conditions. These issues are especially important in the warmer regions of the Mediterranean, and will be even more so in the future due to climate change. The aim of this paper is to assess the influence that the improvement of facade insulation and the use of ventilation have on the existing housing stock. To do so, an energy evaluation is conducted using on-site monitoring of free-running conditions in test cells reproducing a residential room, both in current condition and with the retrofitted proposal, in Seville (Spain). The results obtained show limited improvement of the facade insulation when outdoor temperatures are high, as well as the influence of ventilation, mainly nocturnal, depending on the ventilation rate and the minimum outdoor temperatures.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment: Comparison of Ventilation Scenarios for Retrofitting Classrooms in a Hot Climate

“…Information regarding other outdoor ambient variables was also recorded (relative humidity, air temperature, CO 2 levels, wind speed and direction) by a local weather station, placed in some test cells [57], at a distance of 450 m from the educational building. Table 3 shows the technical characteristics of the sensors in the weather station.…”

Daylighting Performance of Solar Control Films for Hospital Buildings in a Mediterranean Climate

“…The three indoor luxmeters are at distances of 1.5 m, 3.0 m and 4.5 m from the window whereas the outdoor luxmeter is placed on the external facade line. Data recorded by the monitoring system is complemented with information from a weather station in Test Cells 3.5 km from the hospital, managed by the research team [41]. The outdoor ambient conditions measured by this station are used in this paper for the outdoor air temperatures.…”

Predicting the Impact of Climate Change on Thermal Comfort in A Building Category: The Case of Linear-type Social Housing Stock in Southern Spain

“…In southern Europe, a large percentage of dwellings, between 63% [16] and 76% [17], predate the first regulations limiting energy demand in buildings (1976)(1977)(1978)(1979). As a result, there is a relevant part of the residential stock with obsolete energy performance, and its population will suffer the most due to the negative effects of climate change if investment is not made in retrofitting [18]. Numerous studies defend the need to characterize case studies before proposing energy retrofitting measures [19,20] in order to be able to calibrate simulation models and to avoid the 'performance gap' between real and predicted consumptions [21,22].…”