The building sector is considered a key area for sustainable development, due to the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the numerous economic activities that this sector involves. A low-cost lightweight cementitious composite consisting in perlite mortar was fabricated and evaluated. The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the proposed composite were tested in the laboratory. The lightweight composite was integrated into a prototypical house and its thermal performance was tested for two different arid climates during a typical meteorological year. A techno-economic analysis of this integration was carried out, which showed the lightweight system integration could reduce the energy demand up to 10.3% due to the decreased use of heating and cooling systems. The CO2 emissions associated with electricity and gas use on cooling and heating systems could be reduced up to 10.9%.

Se realizó el análisis térmico de un edificio de oficinas de tres plantas y 5500 m 2 mediante el uso de un software de simulación dinámica. En el estudio se realizó un análisis del consumo energético anual por climatización artificial, variando los sistemas constructivos del edificio. El edificio estudiado se localiza en una región con clima BS1kw de acuerdo con la clasificación Köppen. Este clima, comúnmente referido como estepario, presenta condiciones en las cuales se requiere el uso de calefacción y refrigeración para proveer de confort térmico adecuado a través del año. Para este clima es posible incorporar diversas estrategias que contribuyan al ahorro energético. El análisis incorpora conceptos de arquitectura bioclimática y una selección de materiales de construcción y acristalado comúnmente utilizados. Para analizar el comportamiento térmico del edificio se implementaron diferentes sistemas de acristalado sobre el diseño arquitectónico propuesto, se estableció un rango de confort al interior del edificio, que a su vez funge como control de las temperaturas de operación del equipo de climatización. Los resultados muestran temperaturas promedio horarias y de consumo energético debido al acondicionamiento del aire de un año típico. Este trabajo se enfoca en argumentar que es posible disminuir el consumo energético de una edificación planeada o existente, mediante la evaluación de diversos sistemas constructivos convencionales comercialmente disponibles, sin modificar la geometría de la edificación. Descriptores: Simulación dinámica, comportamiento térmico, edificaciones.

No abstract

The thermal performance of economical housing located in hot climates remains a pending subject, especially in emerging economies. A cellular concrete mixture was designed, considering its thermophysical properties, to apply the new material into building envelopes. The proposed materials have low density and thermal conductivity to be used as a nonstructural lightweight construction element. From the design stage, a series of wall systems based on cellular concrete was proposed. Whereas in the second phase, the materials were analyzed to obtain the potential energy savings using dynamic simulations. It is foreseen that the energy consumption in buildings located in these climates will continue to increase critically due to the temperature increase associated with climate change. The temperatures predicted mean vote (PMV), electric energy consumption, and CO2 emissions were calculated for three IPCC scenarios. These results will help to identify the impact of climate change on the energy use of the houses built under these weather conditions. The results show that if the conventional concrete blocks continue to be used, the air conditioning energy requirements will increase to 49% for 2030 and 61% by 2050. The proposed cellular concrete could reduce energy consumption between 15% and 28%, and these saving rates would remain in the future. The results indicate that it is necessary to drive the adoption of lightweight materials, so the impact of energy use on climate change can be reduced.

A thermal analysis of a two-storey building was made using a dynamic simulation software (TRNSYS). Thermal performance of a 2000 m2 building was examined by means of several dynamic simulations. The building is located in a region within the BS climate (steppe) according to the Köppen climate classification, where both air cooling and heating are needed to provide comfortable thermal conditions through the entire year. This weather often represents an energy saving challenge, where heat gains and heat losses need to be efficiently managed. A selection of common construction and glazing materials was implemented, and a simple but effective ventilating strategy was tested. Six thermal zones were defined in the building and a comfort temperature range was established as an operating parameter. The results show hourly mean temperatures and energy consumption due to air conditioning throughout a year.