A methodology to improve energy efficiency and comfort conditions with low-cost ICTs in rural public buildings

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology to improve energy efficiency and hygrothermal comfort conditions in public buildings using low-cost ICTs. A change in the daily users` habits is further on suggested. The process develops circularly in four steps: building definition model, monitoring, analysis, and users’ participation. The method has been tested in four similar public buildings of traditional construction. Firstly, a building model has been defined (climatology, thermal envelope and maintenance, interior design, systems, and occupancy). Secondly, a low-cost, scalable, and open-source information system has been installed to collect data of energy consumption, temperature, humidity and CO2 values. The resulting time series were analysed and compared to the energy consumption bills of the previous three years to obtain the real building behaviour. Data gathered by the sensors and suggestions have been made available to users for real-time monitoring. Furthermore, reliable energy indicators to characterize this building typology in services sector have been obtained. Other sub goals include raising awareness among users about the use of public resources, and the initiation of a smart-village strategy using low-cost technologies. The results highlight inefficient consumption patterns and discomfort situation that should encourage users to take action and reorient municipal policies.