Thermal Energy Refurbishment of Envelope in Mass Neighbourhood Housing, Located in Semi-arid Climate of Argentina

Abstract

In order to propose variants for improving the energy performance of the thermal envelope in massive neighborhood housing built in the Gran San Juan -oasis city set in semi-arid climate of Argentina-, a three instances research is carried out, as they are: (a) climate analysis of a “typical year” formed by the average of 10 years, using different methods to determine the most appropriate design strategies for the region; (b) hygrothermal and energy dwelling’s characterization and diagnose, and also of their users, from stationary calculations, measurements and surveys in three witness-years; (c) Micro-Economic Evaluation in the Life Cycle (MEELC) of different selected alternatives, which contribute to greater thermal-energy efficiency of the housing. To reach this aim, specific procedures and tools were developed and implemented, being useful by similar studies. In the covered period of 14 years (1999–2013), energy consumption for air conditioning increased until 1121%, and the use of hot and cold air conditioning equipments grew by 386%. Building energy savings feasible to obtain vary between 20 and 60% depending on the level of invested capital. While in 1999 and 2006 MEELC indexes were not profitable, currently seems to be a more convenient panorama, because of the energy fluids prices increasing. Results show between 8 and 14 years for amortizations, calculated at an annual rate of 2% in 25 years, and recovery value of 15% of the initial investment.