Thermal comfort analysis in homes in Ushuaia, Argentina, based on monitoring data
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/ic.7079Keywords:
Bioclimatic; native communities; thermal comfort; institutions., Energy vulnerability, Hygrothermal monitoring, UshuaiaAbstract
In the extreme climate of Ushuaia, Argentina, where the cost of bottled gas for heating is subsidised by 99.5%, it is crucial to understand the welfare of energy-vulnerable households. With an average annual temperature of 6°C, these dwellings require active heating all year round. Subsidies and the need for heating force households to adopt strategies that minimize energy consumption, resulting in a lack of comfort and exposure to thermal extremes. This paper analyses hygrothermal monitoring data from 2021 to 2022 in two typical single-family dwellings. These dwellings, whose envelopes are not adequately designed for the local climate, have high-energy needs and difficulties in maintaining adequate comfort levels. The results show that, during the most critical period, autumn-winter, House I is beyond comfort about 30% of the time, while House II is beyond comfort about 80% of the time.
Downloads
References
M. De Luxán García de Diego, C. Sánchez-Guevara Sánchez, E. Román López, M. del M. Barbero Barrera, and G. Gómez Muñoz, Rehabilitación exprés para hogares vulnerables. 2017, p. 266.
B. Givoni, 'Comfort, climate analysis and building design guidelines', Energy and Buildings, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 11-23, Jan. 1992. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-7788(92)90047-K
J. F. Nicol and S. Roaf, 'Rethinking thermal comfort', Building Research & Information, vol. 45, no. 7, pp. 711-716, Oct. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2017.1301698
K. Arbuthnott, S. Hajat, C. Heaviside, and S. Vardoulakis, 'What is cold-related mortality? A multi-disciplinary perspective to inform climate change impact assessments', Environment International, vol. 121, pp. 119-129, Dec. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.053 PMid:30199667
F. M. Baba, H. Ge, L. (Leon) Wang, and R. Zmeureanu, 'Do high energy-efficient buildings increase overheating risk in cold climates? Causes and mitigation measures required under recent and future climates', Building and Environment, vol. 219, p. 109230, Jul. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109230
R. Basu, 'Relation between Elevated Ambient Temperature and Mortality: A Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence', Epidemiologic Reviews, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 190-202, Dec. 2002. https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxf007 PMid:12762092
H. A. M. Daanen and W. D. V. M. Lichtenbelt, 'Human whole body cold adaptation', Temperature, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 104-118, Jan. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2015.1135688 PMid:27227100 PMCid:PMC4861193
D. Fosas, D. A. Coley, S. Natarajan, M. Herrera, M. F. D. Pando, and A. Ramallo-Gonzalez, 'Mitigation versus adaptation: Does insulating dwellings increase overheating risk?', Building and Environment, vol. 143, pp. 740-759, Oct. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.07.033
Y. Guo et al., 'Global Variation in the Effects of Ambient Temperature on Mortality: A Systematic Evaluation', Epidemiology, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 781-789, Nov. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0000000000000165 PMid:25166878 PMCid:PMC4180721
R. Calvo, N. Álamos, M. Billi, A. Urquiza, and R. Contreras Lisperguer, Desarrollo de indicadores de pobreza energética en América Latina y el Caribe. in Recursos Naturales y Desarrollo, no. 207 (LC/TS.2021/104). Santiago: Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), 2021.
R. Durán and M. Condorí, 'Pobreza energética en la Argentina urbana. Validación de un indicador basado en la línea del 10% de los ingresos totales familiares.', AVERMA, vol. 23, 2019.
D. F. Lopera, R. Durán, and M. Condorí, 'Acceso a la energía en barrios populares en Argentina. Una aproximación para caracterizar la pobreza energética en el espacio urbano.', Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente, vol. 50, 2022.
H. Thomson et al., 'Understanding, recognizing, and sharing energy poverty knowledge and gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean - because conocer es resolver', Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 87, p. 102475, May 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102475
M. Hosein Abbasi, Badr Abdullah, R. Castaño-Rosa, M. Waseem Ahmad, A. Rostami, and J. Cullen, 'Planning energy interventions in buildings and tackling fuel poverty: Can two birds be fed with one scone?', Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 93, p. 102841, Nov. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102841
Y.-S. An et al., 'Retrofit of renewable energy systems in existing community for positive energy community', Energy Reports, vol. 9, pp. 3733-3744, Dec. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.02.055
G. Aruta, F. Ascione, N. Bianco, and G. M. Mauro, 'Sustainability and energy communities: Assessing the potential of building energy retrofit and renewables to lead the local energy transition', Energy, vol. 282, p. 128377, Nov. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.128377
R. Barrella, J. I. Linares, J. C. Romero, and E. Arenas, 'Evaluating the impact of energy efficiency strategies on households' energy affordability: A Spanish case study', Energy and Buildings, vol. 295, p. 113289, Sep. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113289
H. Elsharkawy and P. Rutherford, 'Retrofitting social housing in the UK: Home energy use and performance in a pre-Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)', Energy and Buildings, vol. 88, pp. 25-33, Feb. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.11.045
N. S. Ibañez Iralde, J. Pascual, and J. Salom, 'Energy retrofit of residential building clusters. A literature review of crossover recommended measures, policies instruments and allocated funds in Spain', Energy and Buildings, vol. 252, p. 111409, Dec. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111409
S. Peiris, J. H. K. Lai, M. M. Kumaraswamy, and H. (Cynthia) Hou, 'Smart retrofitting for existing buildings: State of the art and future research directions', Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 76, p. 107354, Oct. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107354
C. Piccardo and L. Gustavsson, 'Deep energy retrofits using different retrofit materials under different scenarios: Life cycle cost and primary energy implications', Energy, vol. 281, p. 128131, Oct. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.128131
F. M. Méndez, P. C. Rosa, and M. E. Castelao Caruana, 'Pobreza energética en la Argentina actual. Revisiones y aportes metodológicos para su medición cuantitativa y cualitativa', Cienc. docencia tecnol., vol. 32, no. 62 may-ago, Jun. 2021. https://doi.org/10.33255/3262/748
S. Samarakoon, 'A justice and wellbeing centered framework for analysing energy poverty in the Global South', Ecological Economics, vol. 165, p. 106385, Nov. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106385
Oscar S. Santillán, Karla G. Cedano, and Manuel Martínez, 'Analysis of Energy Poverty in 7 Latin American Countries Using Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index', Energies, vol. 13, no. 7, p. 1608, Apr. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071608
M. E. Vanoli, E. Crespo Sánchez, and J. M. González Barroso, 'Estudio energético con coste óptimo para lograr un modelo de vivienda eficiente para el programa de crédito argentino en clima frío', ACE: Architecture, City and Environment, vol. 16, no. 47, Oct. 2021. https://doi.org/10.5821/ace.16.47.9814
Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos, 'Indicadores de condiciones de vida de los hogares en 31 aglomerados urbanos.', vol. 3 number 7. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos, INDEC, Buenos Aires, 2018.
A. González, A. Carlsson-Kanyama, E. S. Crivelli, and S. Gortari, 'Residential energy use in one-family households with natural gas provision in a city of the Patagonian Andean region', Energy Policy, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 2141-2150, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2006.07.004
Presidencia de la Nación, Boletín oficial de la República Argentina. Régimen de zona fría Ley 27637, Buenos Aires., 2021.
Presidencia de la Nación, Boletín oficial de la República Argentina. Régimen de zona fría Decreto 486/2021, 2021.
Gobierno de Tierra del Fuego, 'Subsidio de gas licuado de petróleo envasado y a granel', https://gestiontransparente.tierradelfuego.gob.ar/.
C. Filippín and S. Flores Larsen, 'Historical Consumption of Heating Natural Gas and Thermal Monitoring of a Multifamily High-Rise Building in a Temperate/Cold Climate in Argentina', Buildings, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 477-496, 2012. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings2040477
M. C. Peel, B. L. Finlayson, and T. A. McMahon, 'Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification', Hydrology and earth system sciences, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1633-1644, 2007. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007
Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación, 'Acondicionamiento térmico de edificios. Clasificacion bioambiental de la República Argentina. IRAM 11603:1996'. Instituto argentino de normalización y certificación, Buenos Aires, 2011.
M. Andersen, C. A. Discoli, G. Melisa Viegas, and I. Martini, 'Monitoreo energético y estrategias de RETROFIT para viviendas sociales en clima frío.', HS, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 50-63, Dec. 2017. https://doi.org/10.22320/07190700.2017.07.02.05
M. Andersen, I. Martini, C. A. Discoli, and J. Gaspari, 'Energy consumption and dwelling characteristics in households typology in the city of S. C. de San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina', 2016.
M. Andersen, A. Hernandez, and C. A. Discoli, 'Auditoría energética de una vivienda social en climas fríos y comparación de pérdidas térmicas por infiltración y transmisión', Avances en Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente, vol. 21, p. 05.13-05.24, 2017.
N. B. Finck, 'Barrios autoproducidos en ciudades intermedias. El caso de Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego AIAS', in I. Encuentro de la Red de Asentamientos Populares: Aportes teórico-metodológicos para la reflexión sobre políticas públicas de acceso al hábitat., 1st ed., Editorial de la Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 2019.
Instituto Eduardo Torroja, Catálogo de Elementos Constructivos del CTE, España., 2011. [Online]. Available: http://itec.cat/cec/
Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación, IRAM 11900. Prestaciones energéticas en viviendas. Método de cálculo y etiquetado de eficiencia energética, Buenos Aires., 2019.
Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación, 'IRAM 11900 Esquema 1 Prestaciones energéticas en viviendas. Método de cálculo'. Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación, 2017.
ENARGAS, 'Artefactos de calefacción independientes por convección que utilizan combustibles gaseosos'. Ente nacional regulador del gas, 2015.
C. J. Diaz, 'Auditorías energéticas en viviendas de interés social en Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego', ASADES, vol. 10, 2006.
C. Filippín, S. Flores Larsen, and L. Marek, 'Experimental monitoring and post-occupancy evaluation of a non-domestic solar building in the central region of Argentina', Energy and Buildings, vol. 92, pp. 267-281, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.01.053
F. Martín-Consuegra, J. P. Gouveia, F. de Frutos, and I. Oteiza, 'Consumo energético y brecha de confort en viviendas sociales de Madrid, a través de información de contadores inteligentes y encuestas', 2019.
F. Martín-Consuegra, F. de Frutos, I. Oteiza, C. Alonso, and B. Frutos, 'Minimal Monitoring of Improvements in Energy Performance after Envelope Renovation in Subsidized Single Family Housing in Madrid', Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 235, Dec. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010235
AENOR, 'UNE-EN ISO 7730:2005. Ergonomía del ambiente térmico Determinación analítica e interpretación del bienestar térmico mediante el cálculo de los índices PMV y PPD y los criterios de bienestar térmico local'. Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación, 2006.
F. J. Neil González, Arquitectura bioclimática en un entorno sostenible. Madrid: Munilla-Lería, 2004.
V. Olgyay, Design with Climate: Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism. Princeton University Press, 1963.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 'ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2010 Thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy'. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 2010. [Online]. Available: www.ashrae.org Ministerio de la Presidencia, 'Real Decreto 1027/2007, de 20 de julio, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de Instalaciones Térmicas en los Edificios.' 2007.
F. Tartarini and S. Schiavon, 'pythermalcomfort: A Python package for thermal comfort research', SoftwareX, vol. 12, p. 100578, Jul. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100578
H. Sukanen, J. Taylor, R. Castaño-Rosa, S. Pelsmakers, T. Lehtinen, and T. Kaasalainen, 'Passive mitigation of overheating in Finnish apartments under current and future climates', Indoor and Built Environment, p. 1420326X2311609, Mar. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X231160977
Z. Tian, S. Zhang, J. Deng, and B. D. Hrynyszyn, 'Evaluation on Overheating Risk of a Typical Norwegian Residential Building under Future Extreme Weather Conditions', Energies, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 658, Feb. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030658
V. Tink, S. Porritt, D. Allinson, and D. Loveday, 'Measuring and mitigating overheating risk in solid wall dwellings retrofitted with internal wall insulation', Building and Environment, vol. 141, pp. 247-261, Aug. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.05.062
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the print and online versions of this journal are the property of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. You may read the basic information and the legal text of the licence. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 licence must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the final version of the work produced by the publisher, is not allowed.
