Hygrothermal Performance of Worship Spaces: Preservation, Comfort, and Energy Consumption

Carmen Muñoz-González,Rafael Suárez Medina,Catherine Teeling,Ángel León-Rodríguez

doi:10.3390/su10113838

Carmen Muñoz-González, Rafael Suárez Medina + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113838

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Abstract

The energy problem, one the most important on a global scale, greatly affects the environment. Much of the current energy consumption occurs in existing buildings, including heritage buildings with varying protected status. Energy intervention and heritage conservation conflict to some extent, as research focuses more on the search for improved energy efficiency solutions for materials and systems than on their application to heritage buildings. This study describes experimental research on environmental conditioning techniques in spaces of worship in a temperate climate in southern Spain. Buildings were monitored and assessed in the implementation of different environmental techniques—active and combined (passive and active)—with the aim of improving the thermal comfort conditions of the faithful while preserving the cultural heritage of these buildings. The need for a control system of RH and the air system was concluded, as well as radiant floors and radiators, which, in the considered case studies, would barely affect the artworks. 24- and 12-h operation are better suited to heritage preservation than occasional use. All operation schedules are valid for thermal comfort.

Highlights

In most Christian cities, churches are some of the most representative historic buildings
As well as examining the influence of these constructive systems and Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) systems on energy consumption, work was carried out to condition the spaces of Sustainability 2018, 10, 3838 worship in a Mediterranean climate, considering three basic aspects: heritage preservation, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency
Different hypotheses analyse the hygrothermal behaviour of the study samples with the application of active and combined environmental techniques, given that thermal comfort conditions and the preservation of heritage spaces cannot be guaranteed using passive techniques alone

Summary

Introduction

In most Christian cities, churches are some of the most representative historic buildings. Climate has been a conditioning factor in the interior hygrothermal conditions of churches Most of these buildings originally lacked thermal conditioning systems, some rudimentary examples could be found in certain cold weather regions [2]. These spaces increasingly incorporate heating and cooling systems [3] for improving comfort conditions for occupants. The application of these systems is often indiscriminate, with no prior study on hygrothermal modifications [4] with the potential to critically affect the conservation of these buildings and any artworks within them [5]

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