Low Energy Renovation of Social Housing: Recommendations on Monitoring and Renewable Energies Use

Bianca Seabra, Pedro F. Pereira, Helena Corvacho, Carla Pires and Nuno M. M. Ramos
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Bianca Seabra: Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Pedro F. Pereira: CONSTRUCT (LFC), Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Helena Corvacho: CONSTRUCT (LFC), Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Carla Pires: Gaiurb EM, 4400-012 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Nuno M. M. Ramos: CONSTRUCT (LFC), Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: Social housing represents a part of the whole building stock with a high risk of energy poverty, and it should be treated as a priority in renovation strategies, due to its potential for improvement and the need to fight that risk. Renovation actions are currently designed based on patterns that have been shown to be disparate from the reality of social housing. Thereby, a monitoring study is essential for the evaluation of the actual conditions. An in-depth characterization of a social housing neighborhood, located in the North of Portugal, was carried out. Indoor hygrothermal conditions were analyzed through a monitoring campaign. It was possible to identify the differences in indoor conditions of the dwellings and understand the influence of occupancy density and occupants’ behavior. In order to identify the actual occupancy and the type of use, a social survey was performed. A renovation action will soon take place, and a monitoring and survey plan is proposed for the post-renovation period, based on a previous evaluation of the renovation impact, using DesignBuilder software and the real occupancy profiles. In social housing context, since energy consumption for heating and cooling is punctual or non-existent, the focus of low energy renovation should be based on passive strategies that reduce the energy demand. The remaining energy needs should be supplied by renewable energy sources, reducing energy poverty, and enhancing quality of life.

Keywords: social housing; renovation; monitoring plan; building energy simulation; energy-efficiency; thermal comfort (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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