Modeling the Evolution of Construction Solutions in Residential Buildings’ Thermal Comfort

Inês F. G. Reis,António Samagaio,António Figueiredo

doi:10.3390/app11052427

Inês F. G. Reis, António Samagaio + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052427

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Abstract

The evolution of the construction sector over the years has been marked by the replacement of high thermal inertia mass constructions by increasingly lighter solutions that are subject to greater thermal fluctuations and, consequently, thermal discomfort. To minimize these effects, energy demanding space conditioning technologies are implemented, contributing significantly to the sector’s share of global energy consumption. Enhanced constructive solutions involving phase-change materials have been developed to respond to the constructive thermal inertia loss, influencing buildings’ thermal and energy performance. This work aims to model the evolution of the construction over the last decades to understand to what extent constructive characteristics influence the occupants’ thermal comfort. For this purpose, typical and enhanced solutions representing distinct constructive periods were simulated using the EnergyPlus® software through its graphical interface DesignBuilder® and the thermal comfort of the different solutions was evaluated using the adaptive model for thermal comfort EN16798-1. The main results reveal that more restraining regulatory requirements are indeed mitigating thermal discomfort situations. However, overheating phenomena can rise, creating worrying consequences in the short-medium term. Thus, countries with mild climates such as Portugal, must pay special attention to these effects, which may be aggravated by climate change.

Highlights

IntroductionEnergy efficiency in buildings is currently at the center of the European Union (EU)
Buildings are responsible for about 36% of the total final energy demand and 40% of direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions [1]
At the European Union (EU) level, the building stock is responsible for about 40% of the final energy consumption, making it the largest energy demanding sector and a preferential target for decarbonization policies (Figure 1) [2]

Summary

Introduction

Energy efficiency in buildings is currently at the center of the European Union (EU). Buildings are responsible for about 36% of the total final energy demand and 40% of direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions [1]. At the EU level, the building stock is responsible for about 40% of the final energy consumption, making it the largest energy demanding sector and a preferential target for decarbonization policies (Figure 1) [2]. Despite the efforts to enhance the energy efficiency of the sector, according to estimations, an increase in energy consumption of about 20% until 2050 should be expected [3]. The increasing ownership rates of electrical devices alongside the amount of time spent inside buildings and the increasingly restrictive thermal comfort requirements, have contributed significantly to this trend [4,5]

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