First steps towards low energy buildings: how far are Chilean dwellings from nearly zero-energy performances?

Review of Zero Energy Building Concept-Definition and Developments in Latin America: A Framework Definition for Application in Panama

“…In this case, the original U-values did not differ significantly with any envelope element; in fact, both windows and floor U-values were the same. The improved cases resulted in less difference, indicating that the same might help to reach same performance under the same type of climate for the same type of building (residential) [41]. In these three types of climates-even within the same building type (residential), where the higher U-values are from the BWk climate, followed by Csb, and the lower for the ET climate-all of the cases reached were classified as nZEB.…”

“…However, the application of active solutions only also helps to reach NZEB, but this technique appears to be less common [36,50] (Figure 8a). Other studies have applied both passive and active solutions, but their results show that the NZEB was not as successful as when only one type of strategy was applied [34,36,41,43]. The results also show that researchers have favored studying the applicability of the ZEB concept (Figure 8b) in residential buildings, and residential buildings successfully reach the net-zero energy balance far more than any other building type.…”

“…However, the application of active solutions only also helps to reach NZEB, but this technique appears to be less common [36,50] (Figure 8a). Other studies have applied both passive and active solutions, but their results show that the NZEB was not as successful as when only one type of strategy was applied [34,36,41,43].…”

“…Similarly, in Brazil, in two residential buildings in different types of climates [39] (Af and Cfb), the improved case turned out to have the same roof U-values but different wall U-values, with the building located in Af being significantly lower. Moreover, residential buildings studied in Chile [41] in three climate types (BWk, Csb, and ET) started with different U-values. In the BWk climate, the original U-values for the roof, walls, doors, and windows were higher than the improved values.…”

Optimal passive design strategies for nearly zero-energy dwellings in different Chilean climates using multi-objective genetic algorithms

“… Opaque envelope (Env): this parameter varies the U-value of the external walls, roofs and suspended floors in four levels, progressively increasing them from the CSH values.  Floor-on-ground (FGr): its insulation level was separately assessed, since it is not regulated by the TR and since the perimeter vertical insulation proposed by the CSH would have a low impact according to a previous study (Besser and Vogdt, 2017). Instead, horizontal insulation under the slab was assessed in three levels, together with a non-insulated option.…”