Thermal Performance and Comfort Condition Analysis in a Vernacular Building with a Glazed Balcony

Jorge Fernandes, Raphaele Malheiro, Maria de Fátima Castro, Helena Gervásio, Sandra Monteiro Silva and Ricardo Mateus
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Jorge Fernandes: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Raphaele Malheiro: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Maria de Fátima Castro: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Helena Gervásio: Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Sandra Monteiro Silva: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Ricardo Mateus: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-29

Abstract: The increase in global environmental problems requires more environmentally efficient construction. Vernacular passive strategies can play an important role in helping reducing energy use and CO 2 emissions related to buildings. This paper studies the use of glazed balconies in the North of Portugal as a strategy to capture solar gains and reduce heat losses. The purpose is understanding thermal performance and comfort conditions provided by this passive heating strategy. The methodology includes objective (short and long-term monitoring), to evaluate the different parameters affecting thermal comfort and air quality, and subjective assessments to assess occupants’ perception regarding thermal sensation. The results show that the use of glazed balconies as a passive heating strategy in a climate with cold winters is viable. During the mid-seasons, the rooms with balcony have adequate comfort conditions. In the heating season, it is possible to achieve comfort conditions in sunny days while in the cooling season there is a risk of overheating. Regarding indoor air quality, carbon dioxide concentrations were low, but the average radon concentration measured was high when the building was unoccupied, rapidly decreasing to acceptable values, during occupation periods when a minimum ventilation rate was promoted. Occupants’ actions were essential to improving building behavior.

Keywords: glazed balcony; indoor comfort; passive strategies; thermal performance; vernacular architecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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