Tapanco in vernacular houses in Querétaro, Mexico. Use and hygrothermal efficiency

Abstract

Today, the climatic consequences caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are evident and are on track to see global warming of 2.7 °C by the end of the century. The energy dependence of buildings is one of the main causes, since they required 50% of global energy consumption in 2021 just for heating, making it necessary to implement passive bioclimatic air conditioning systems. This work documents the use in vernacular dwellings in Queretaro, Mexico, of an efficient attic-type passive system, called "tapanco", consisting of an inert air chamber that functions as a thermal buffer. A case was evaluated by applying measurement methodologies with thermo-hygrometers, complemented with thermography and thermo-wind simulation. The findings of adequate hygrometric indices, fostered by the system, make it a relevant alternative for a passive solution in future bioclimatic architectural design, to reduce adverse energy and climatic indices.