Study on the Winter Thermal Environment and Thermal Satisfaction of the Post-Disaster Prototype and Vernacular Houses in Nepal

Abstract

Post-disaster housing, constructed on a massive scale, often overlooks the indoor thermal environment, despite being a crucial design factor for residential satisfaction. This study examined the indoor thermal environment in post-Gorkha earthquake-reconstructed prototype and traditional vernacular houses in the Dolakha district of Nepal. It employed a questionnaire survey and measurement of indoor and outdoor temperature in both house types across two study locations: Panipokhari and Jillu, during the coldest winter month. Despite the indoor temperature in both house types falling below the ASHRAE comfort standard, the study found that prototype houses’ nighttime indoor temperatures were 2.1 °C lower in Panipokhari and 1 °C lower in Jillu compared to vernacular houses. This difference is attributed to the use of local building materials with low U-values, substantial thermal mass in vernacular houses, and a low window-to-wall ratio. Occupants expressed dissatisfaction with the thermal environment in prototype houses compared to vernacular ones. By incorporating climate-responsive features seen in vernacular houses, heating energy could have been reduced by approximately 21% in Panipokhari and 10% in Jillu, easing the economic burden on vulnerable households. These findings hold significance for policy-makers, implementers, designers, and other stakeholders involved in post-disaster resettlement housing programs, offering insights for enhancing long-term satisfaction and sustainability in such programs.