Energy Efficiency of Ventilated Façades: Residential Buildings, Alicante, Spain

Abstract

Ventilated façades with external thermal insulation contribute to the construction, in certain climatologies, of a great energetic efficiency in the thermal envelope of the building. This façade allows to eliminate the thermal bridges, reduce the energy demand and improve the level of comfort. These pages describe the research carried out in an isolated residential block in the city centre of Alicante. The house has two façades with different orientation: a ventilated façade (north) and a conventional façade (south). The first one is solved with two sheets of brick, the air camera, the external continuous insulation, the ventilated chamber and the pieces of porcelain stoneware to the outside. The conventional one consists of two sheets with intermediate thermal insulation. The outer sheet is composed of facing brick and the inner sheet by hollow brick of minor thickness with plaster. This system was correct according to the norm NBE-CT-79, but it has been shown that it is insufficient to reach the levels of habitability and the comfort of the current society. The two façades, as well as their adjacent living spaces, have been monitored over a period of two years. Internal and external temperature and humidity, solar radiation, air velocity in the ventilated chamber and surface temperature of each of the material layers of the sections have been obtained. A thermographic study of the two chambers was carried out to determine the thermal bridges and the air infiltration. Through the use of energy simulation tools, comparative results of some parameters have been obtained in both constructive solutions, such as thermal transmissions, average radiant temperatures, operating temperatures or energy demands. By that, we can obtain the conclusions of thermal comfort levels and energy savings of ventilated façades.

Energy rehabilitation of buildings through phase change materials and ceramic ventilated façades

“…A key component of these systems is the exterior finishing material, which needs to meet essential characteristics such as: strength, hardness, durability, impermeability and low weight, since it is difficult and expensive to maintain. Ceramic material is thus ideal for these types of façades due to its resistance, great durability and competitive cost [5].…”

“…The major energy improvement measure to reduce annual energy demand consists in reducing U thermal transmittance of the enclosures making up the building's thermal Table 2 and is expressed in percentages [14]. The proposed intervention also considers replacing the stone finishing material with a double ceramic sheet of great durability and strength together with an internal mesh reinforcement [5]. The inner sheet of the enclosure is solved with a light sheet using rectangular stainless-steel profiles, laminated with gypsum board cladding and a paint finishing.…”

“…Thus, within this context of new demands for energy reduction, the present study proposes two lines of action. On the one hand, we suggest addressing energy losses and reducing consumption by intervening in façade enclosures to improve their performance by replacing joineries and by incorporating ventilated façade systems that prevent thermal bridges [5]. On the other hand, current needs in architecture to reduce energy consumption have generated new strategies based on passive energy conditioning systems in buildings.…”

Thermal evaluation of the use of porous ceramic plates on ventilated façades—part II: Thermal behavior

“…They fulfill an aesthetic function and act as a protection and exterior cladding system by means of the spacing between the building wall and the cladding, thus creating a ventilated air chamber. Besides, they also perform protective functions of rain, wind, and solar radiation and reduce the moisture problems of the building 4–8 …”

“…The correct choice of materials at the project step is crucial to ensure the good buildings’ thermal performance. In the ventilated façade system, different materials (plates) can be used, such as ceramic tiles and natural stone plates (marble, granite, basalt, dolomite, slate, shale, and quartzite), usually in large dimensions, and flat bricks, glass, and aluminum composite 8,10–13 …”