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Passive Design Strategies for Residential Buildings in Different Spanish Climate Zones

Author

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  • Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin

    (Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Montepríncipe Campus, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain)

  • José Manuel del Río

    (Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Montepríncipe Campus, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain)

  • Vincenzo Costanzo

    (Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 6495123 Catania, Italy)

  • Francesco Nocera

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 6495123 Catania, Italy)

  • Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano

    (Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Montepríncipe Campus, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The Passive House (PH) concept is considered an efficient strategy to reduce energy consumption in the building sector, where most of the energy is used for heating and cooling applications. For this reason, energy efficiency measures are increasingly implemented in the residential sector, which is the main responsible for such a consumption. The need for professionals dealing with energy issues, and particularly for architects during the early stages of their architectural design, is crucial when considering energy efficient buildings. Therefore, architects involved in the design and construction stages have key roles in the process of enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. This research work explores the energy efficiency and optimized architectural design for residential buildings located in different climate zones in Spain, with an emphasis on Building Performance Simulation (BPS) as the key tool for architects and other professionals. According to a parametric analysis performed using Design Builder, the following optimal configurations are found for typical residential building projects: North-to-South orientation in all the five climate zones, a maximum shape factor of 0.48, external walls complying with the maximum U-value prescribed by Spanish Building Technical Code (0.35 Wm −2 K −1 ) and a Window-to-Wall Ratio of no more than 20%. In terms of solar reflectance, it is found that the use of light colors is better in hotter climate zones A4, B4, and C4, whereas the best option is using darker colors in the colder climate zones D3 and E1. These measures help reaching the energy demand thresholds set by the Passivhaus Standard in all climate zones except for those located in climates C4, D3 and E1, for which further passive design measures are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin & José Manuel del Río & Vincenzo Costanzo & Francesco Nocera & Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano, 2019. "Passive Design Strategies for Residential Buildings in Different Spanish Climate Zones," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4816-:d:263902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    13. Małgorzata Cygańska & Magdalena Kludacz-Alessandri, 2021. "Determinants of Electrical and Thermal Energy Consumption in Hospitals According to Climate Zones in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.
    14. Balali, Amirhossein & Yunusa-Kaltungo, Akilu & Edwards, Rodger, 2023. "A systematic review of passive energy consumption optimisation strategy selection for buildings through multiple criteria decision-making techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
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