ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 597

Fig. 1. Location of the metropolitan area of Concepcion and weather conditions by month.

Environmental Performance
In order to review the environmental conditions of the main residential typology (single homes)
in the south of the country which has mild weather and most part of the population, a thorough
study was carried out on ten homes located in the metropolitan area of Concepción (Fig.1), using physical monitoring and occupant surveys over a two-year period. The houses were selected
from an initial sample of fifty homes voluntarily put forward by university students in the zone.
Eight of these were selected according to availability and diversity criteria, and two more were
added to ensure due representation for families with young children, according demographic
statics (Fig. 2). Two periods of monitoring were carried out in the homes in the study, one week
in summer and another in winter, with sensors installed to measure: exterior air and surface temperatures on two walls, interior air and surface temperatures in four rooms, humidity and CO2
levels and daylighting. Thermal flow meters, building envelope thermographies and blower-door
tests were also used. Comparisons were made with seasonal meteorological records. The results
showed relevant daily temperature oscillations that were slightly lessened inside the homes, but
with long periods of inadequate indoor comfort conditions in winter and only slight differences
between rooms according to solar orientation. Monitoring also revealed periods in the day with
high CO2 saturation and poor daylighting in some rooms. The performance of the different building elements was acceptable according to regulations, but frequent thermal bridges were found
at joints between elements. Air thingness and heat transmittance levels were poor compared to
international standards, as well as expenses in fuels for domestic services (GARCIA et al, 2013).

Fig.2. Sample of houses analysed.
Eco-friendly materials for the energy retrofit of existing buildings

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