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The Passivhaus Standard in the Spanish Mediterranean: Evaluation of a House’s Thermal Behaviour of Enclosures and Airtightness

Author

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  • Víctor Echarri-Iribarren

    (Department of Building Construction, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

  • Cristina Sotos-Solano

    (Department of Building Construction, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

  • Almudena Espinosa-Fernández

    (Department of Architecture, University of Zaragoza, Calle María de Luna, 3, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Raúl Prado-Govea

    (Department of Building Construction, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

Abstract

Few houses have been built in the Spanish Mediterranean in accordance with the Passivhaus (PH) standard. This standard is adapted to the continental climates of Central Europe and thorough studies are necessary to apply this standard in Spain, especially in the summer. High relative air humidity levels in coastal areas and solar radiation levels of west-facing façades require adapted architectural designs, as well as greater control of air renewal and dehumidification. A priori, energy consumptions undergo big variations. In this study, the construction of a single-family house in the Spanish Levante was analysed. All enclosure layers were monitored using sensors of surface temperature, solar radiation, indoor and outdoor air temperature, relative humidity, and air speed. The thermal behaviour of the façade enclosure and air infiltration through the enclosure were examined using the blower door test and impacts on annual energy demand were quantified. Using simulation tools, improvements are proposed, and the results are compared with examples of PH housing in other geographical areas. The annual energy demand of PH housing was 69.19% below the usual value for buildings in the Mediterranean region. Very thick thermal insulation and low values of airtightness could be applied to the envelope, which would work very well in the winter. These technique solutions could provide optimal comfort conditions with a well-designed air conditioning system in summer and low energy consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Víctor Echarri-Iribarren & Cristina Sotos-Solano & Almudena Espinosa-Fernández & Raúl Prado-Govea, 2019. "The Passivhaus Standard in the Spanish Mediterranean: Evaluation of a House’s Thermal Behaviour of Enclosures and Airtightness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3732-:d:246660
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    1. Bienvenido-Huertas, David & Sánchez-García, Daniel & Rubio-Bellido, Carlos, 2020. "Comparison of energy conservation measures considering adaptive thermal comfort and climate change in existing Mediterranean dwellings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    2. Iñigo Rodríguez Vidal & Jorge Otaegi & Xabat Oregi, 2020. "Thermal Comfort in NZEB Collective Housing in Northern Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-30, November.
    3. Joaquín Torres-Ramo & Purificación González-Martínez & Nerea Arriazu-Ramos & Ana Sánchez-Ostiz, 2020. "Influence of the Water Vapour Permeability of Airtight Sheets on the Behaviour of Facade," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-18, December.

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