Risks of Indoor Overheating in Low-Cost Dwellings on the South African Lowveld

Newton R Matandirotya,Christian Pauw,Roelof P Burger,Stuart J Piketh,Dirk P Cilliers

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-45106-6_123

Abstract

AbstractThe South African Lowveld is a region of land that lies between 150 and 2000 m above sea level. In summer the region is characterized by the maximum mean daily ambient temperature of 32 °C. The purpose of the study was to characterize indoor thermal environments in low-cost residential dwellings during summer seasons as climate is changing. Indoor and ambient air temperature measurements were performed at a 30-min temporal resolution using Thermochron iButtons in the settlement of Agincourt. 58 free running low-cost residential dwellings were sampled over the summer seasons of 2016 and 2017. Complementary ambient air temperature data were sourced from the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Data were transformed into hourly means for further analysis. It was found that hourly maximum mean indoor temperatures ranged between 27 °C (daytime) and 23 °C (nighttime) for both living rooms and bedrooms in summer 2016 while in 2017, maximum mean indoor temperatures ranged between 29 °C (daytime) and 26 °C (nighttime) in living rooms and bedrooms. Pearson correlations showed a positive association between indoor and ambient temperatures ranging between r = 0.40 (daytime) and r = 0.90 (nighttime). The association is weak to moderate during daytime because occupants apply other ventilation practices that reduce the relationship between indoor and ambient temperatures. The close association between nighttime ambient and indoor temperature can also be attributed to the effect of urban heat island as nighttime ambient temperature remain elevated; thus, influencing indoor temperatures also remain high. These findings highlight the potential threat posed by a rise in temperatures for low-cost residential dwellings occupants due to climate change. Furthermore, the high level of sensitiveness of dwellings to ambient temperature changes also indicates housing envelopes that have poor thermal resistance to withstand the Lowveld region’s harsh extreme heat conditions, especially during summer. The study findings suggest that a potential risk of indoor overheating exists in low-cost dwellings on the South African Lowveld as the frequency and intensity of heat waves rise. There is therefore a need to develop immediate housing adaptation interventions that mitigate against the projected ambient temperature rise for example through thermal insulation retrofits on the existing housing stock and passive housing designs for new housing stock.

Highlights

Climate change has triggered a rise in external summer air temperature posing a threat to human indoor thermal comfort and health (Mavrogianni et al 2010) with cities facing a heightened risk of extreme heat from climate change (Araos et al 2016)
Incidences of extreme weather events around the world are increasing as a consequence of climate change with projections showing an increase in the number of warm days/nights putting low-icome earners at risk of physical health threats (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2018)
Living rooms are occupied spaces during daytimes so there was a potential of thermal discomfort as a result of temperatures exceeding the WHO maximum indoor temperature guideline of 24 C

Summary

Introduction

Climate change has triggered a rise in external summer air temperature posing a threat to human indoor thermal comfort and health (Mavrogianni et al 2010) with cities facing a heightened risk of extreme heat from climate change (Araos et al 2016). 76 Risks of Indoor Overheating in Low-Cost Dwellings on the South African. Incidences of extreme weather events around the world are increasing as a consequence of climate change with projections showing an increase in the number of warm days/nights putting low-icome earners at risk of physical health threats (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2018). Low-cost residential dwellings that have poor thermal insulation can overheat if exposed to extreme heat. Low-cost residential dwellings in South Africa are poorly insulated exposing them to extreme heat effects (Chersich et al 2018). Overheating occurs when the indoor operative temperature is over 3 C the thermal comfort temperature (Mavrogianni et al 2010) which the WHO pegged at 24 C for indoor environments

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