PSI - Issue 11

Fabiana Silvero et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 11 (2018) 52–59 Silvero, et al. / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2018) 000 – 000

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4. Conclusions

This research aimed to feature the advantage of passive strategies modelled to achieve better levels of thermal comfort in a dwelling located in the Historic Centre of Asuncion. The strategy consisted of increasing the thermal mass of the building’s envelope components and i ntroducing measures aiming to improve the natural ventilation rates, mainly during the night. The results allow asserting that the strategy implemented contributes to reduce the overheating phenomena significantly and allows to maintain comfortable indoor conditions contributing to the improvement of occupant wellbeing. In this way, through the retrofit measures implemented the building thermal performance has been greatly improved. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that for the climate conditions of Asunción, it is necessary to introduce regulations for the thermal performance of buildings and particularly, consider the admittance parameters since for the climate characteristics of the country, it is essential to require buildings with high thermal mass, which have the capacity to manage the high outside temperatures and keeping comfortable indoor conditions. Nevertheless, the most important is that leaders and citizens realise that buildings energy efficiency can reap multiple benefits, as having more valuable and resilient buildings that offer better living conditions for owners, better indoor air quality and indeed, healthier environments. Finally, also reducing energy bills and energy expenditure without affecting the quality of life.

Acknowledgements

This project has been funded with support of the European Commission and reflects the view only of the author. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein - ELARCH program (Project Reference number: 552129-EM-1-2014-1-IT-ERA MUNDUS-EMA21).

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