The impact of climate change on the thermal-energy performance of the SCIP and ICF wall systems for social housing in Brazil

Self Cite

Due to climate change conditions, natural ventilation potential may reduce over the years and increase dependence on HVAC systems. Moreover, occupants’ behaviour regarding natural ventilation is a significant parameter affecting the thermal-energy performance of residential buildings as people tend to occupy their homes differently depending on their life, work and cultural routines. Therefore, in this study, the thermal-energy performance of a Global South (GS) housing case study located in Brazil was assessed in a future weather context. This paper included two major steps: (1) Optimization procedure to create optimized models based on different occupancy patterns; and (2) Parametric analysis to explore the building’s thermal-energy performance for a given constructive design option, occupant behaviour and weather data. The optimization procedure included a multi-objective optimization based on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) to minimize discomfort hours and cooling energy demand, while parametric analysis explored the occupants’ behaviour varieties derived from alternative occupancy patterns, ventilation availabilities and HVAC operation modes. The obtained future context simulation results indicated an increase in discomfort hours and cooling energy demand, while the most appropriate architecture design might vary depending on the occupancy behaviour.

“…30,31 Then, the average monthly indoor air temperature was defined with the Slab Preprocessor, that is, modifying the average monthly soil temperature. 44,45…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Performance Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting climate change and occupants’ behaviour impact on thermal-energy performance of global south housing: Case study in Brazil

Cruz,

Bastos

2023

Self Cite

“…This arrangement is capable of driving the solar heat from the outside to the interior in winter (that is, the heating system), whereas in summer, it works as a cooling system carrying an excess energy from the interior to the outside. Cruz and Cunha 9 have analysed the so-called structural concrete insulated panels and insulated concrete forms used in the Brazilian construction industry. This analysis has allowed for a discussion on the thermal energy performance of external walls utilizing special insulating materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical study of heat losses of building walls containing reflective foils

Ficker

2022

In external building walls, air cavities are occasionally used to reduce heat losses. Closed air cavities improve the thermal resistance of building structures, especially when the inner surfaces of the cavities are covered with low-emissivity materials such as metalized foils. With these structures, the problem of accurate determination of radiative heat arises. In this contribution, radiative heat transfer is determined by the precise algebraic radiosity method, so far not applied in the field of thermal building technology. Radiative heat computed by the radiosity method has been coupled with convective heat evaluated by the correlation functions of the Nusselt numbers. The combined radiative-convective heat transfer through a sandwich wall containing an air cavity with metalized surfaces (aluminium foils) has been analysed. A computer program has been developed to quantify the real insulation effect of reflective aluminium foils. The sandwich building structure has been subjected to real one-month winter conditions as defined by official meteorological data valid for the city of Brno. The software is based on an iterative procedure that solves the combined radiative-convective steady heat transfers by means of one-day average temperatures and wind speeds. Various arrangements of foils in the cavity have been explored to achieve the maximum value of thermal resistance. The corresponding heat savings have been quantified. The best configuration of foils in the cavity has been found to ensure maximum thermal savings. The insulation system that uses foils has been compared to the system that uses mineral wool. The comparison was based on economic considerations.

“…Among them, the Passive House methodology is a well-established and clearly defined strategy for achieving low-energy housings in various climates. 3–9 The Passive House Institute (PHI) 10 defines a Passive House as ‘a building, for which thermal comfort can be achieved solely by post-heating or post-cooling of the fresh air mass, which is required to achieve sufficient indoor air quality conditions – without the need for additional recirculation of air’.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of the indoor environment of a passive house office building under cold climate in China

Han

Zhao

et al. 2022

This study analyzed the applicability of the Passive House standard to office buildings in northern China from an indoor environment perspective. The case building has been auto-monitored continuously since 2017 and a survey for instantaneous and retrospective appraisal of indoor environmental conditions was administered in 2021 during the summer, winter and months in between, referred to as ‘transition months’. The results show that indoor environment quality was good, with high satisfaction levels and ultra-low energy consumption; overheating and the need for window opening were observed. The prevalence of sick building syndrome was reduced compared to conventional buildings. This work further determined how comfort parameters such as perceived thermal comfort, indoor air quality and acoustics could affect end-users’ appraisal. Findings show that indoor thermal comfort design parameters, particularly in summer, are critical factors affecting users' satisfaction in Passive Houses. We further examined the feasibility of the PMV-PPD index for predicting occupants’ perceived comfort and suggested deriving the preferred thermal comfort design parameters for the Chinese market, using long-term data and measurements. These findings provide insights into the localization of Passive Houses in China, thereby improving the acceptance of Passive Houses in what is expected to be a fast growing market.