Integrated Analysis of Energy Saving and Thermal Comfort of Retrofits in Social Housing under Climate Change Influence in Uruguay

Abstract

Energy improvement studies normally use energy demand reduction as an indicator, disregarding dwellings that do not use air-conditioning systems or do so only under extreme weather conditions. They also do not quantify the impact of climate change on results. This research seeks to evaluate and prioritize energy improvements for existing Uruguayan dwellings, assessing energy demand and thermal comfort in both the current and future climate. A social dwelling was monitored and calibrated to assess energy efficiency measures simulating the current climate and for 2050 (IPCC Scenario A2). The results show that improvements must be linked to the use of air-conditioning in dwellings. When air-conditioning use is unknown, for example, in public policy, thermal transmittance in walls should be between 0.50–0.61 W/m2 K, in roofs between 0.32–0.47 W/m2 K, in openings 2.7 W/m2 K, airtightness under 5 ACH n50 and with solar protections. However, when the use under free running is certain, thermal transmittance in walls and roofs should be 0.85 W/m2 K with an airtightness of 9.2 ACH n50 and solar protection used to avoid overheating. The operational ventilation and solar protection parameters were helpful to guarantee comfort, underlining the need for their inclusion and to train those who use them.

Crisis to Adaptation: Assessing the Drivers of Participation in Sustainable Off-Grid Construction

“…Multisector planning for climate change resilience is also a focus in Uruguay (Khan et al, 2020), as is a desire to consider housing alternatives and retrofitting for sustainability (Pereira-Ruchansky & Pérez-Fargallo, 2020). Earthship architecture and alternative practices are also being assessed to produce mutualaid housing cooperatives (Pompeu Quintas, 2020).…”

Assessment of Enhancing Employee Engagement in Energy-Saving Behavior at Workplace: An Empirical Study

“…The study of the effect of energysaving behavioral intentions on habits has been quite diverse in recent research [55]. For example, Abrahamse and Steg [35] claim that the subjective norm of a resident's energy efficiency is related positively to his/her household energy efficiency [78]; furthermore, they have found that energy-saving habits could help people to reduce the use of their private vehicles. In their research, they argue that the personal norms in workplaces have a significant and positive effect on the energy-saving habits of employees; that is, when the employees' personal norms are high, they are more likely to repeatedly save energy, thus forming energy-saving habits.…”

Effect of Climate Changes on Renewable Production in the Mediterranean Climate: Case Study of the Energy Retrofit for a Detached House

“…For social Uruguayan dwellings, in both current and future climate under 2050 projection, thermal transmittance in walls and roofs should be 0.85 W/m 2 K with an airtightness of 9.2 ACH n50 and solar protection. [21]. More generally, Pajek et Kosir [22] proposed a new approach to bioclimatic building design with the aim of global warming adaptation.…”