Experimental assessment of the thermal behavior of a living wall system in semi-arid environments of central Mexico

Abstract

The City of Queretaro is located in a semi-arid region that receives an elevated annual solar radiation (2200 kWh/m2 in AVG) with high UV factor indices (6+ in AVG) and a low rainfall accumulated throughout the year (550 mm in AVG), which represents a serious problem that affects the environment, buildings and finally people. The aim of this work is to illustrate the behavior of living walls and their beneficial effects under such semi-arid environments in central Mexico.The present study monitored two experimental huts, built with the most common materials used for Housing in Mexico. In one of them a living wall was placed at the south façade, while the other served as a control bare wall. Temperature and humidity sensors were located inside the huts and between the wall layers. Data about inside and outside conditions of the buildings were collected to evaluate: (a) temperature reduction inside huts; (b) rainfall and water demand of the living wall; (c) temperature and solar radiation transfer on buildings. Results demonstrate that living walls on such climate conditions, help to improve time and percentage of loss/heat gain of the enclosure, increase permeable green surfaces and favor social interaction.