Abstract

RODRIGUEZ MAURE, Katherine; MORA, Dafni  and  CHEN AUSTIN, Miguel. Microclimate influence in buildings thermal comfort and energy performance: A numerical assessment of a historical heritage settlement. Novasinergia [online]. 2022, vol.5, n.2, pp.132-157.  Epub July 05, 2022. ISSN 2631-2654.  https://doi.org/10.37135/ns.01.10.08.

Due to climate change consequences, microclimate effects, and heat islands in cities, this research seeks to evaluate the natural potential ventilation and energy use at an urban scale in the Casco Antiguo of Panama City. The Natural Ventilation Climate Potential (NVCP), the Natural Ventilation Satisfied Hours (NVSH), and the Electricity Consumption Indicator (ECI) were used as indicators to evaluate natural ventilation. For this purpose, a methodology based on dynamic energy simulations was conducted by coupling ENVI-met and DesignBuilder software. Furthermore, an optimization process based on parametric studies, sensitivity, and uncertainty analysis allow for comparing envelopes of construction materials, glazing, and operating hours of windows with thermal discomfort hours. Results showed that the area under study does not have a beneficial micro-climate for natural ventilation (NVCP = 19.41%), affecting indoor thermal comfort (NVSH = 3.11%). Finally, an optimization process showed that envelope materials do not generate significant changes concerning hours of thermal discomfort in passive mode at the urban scale. However, energy use in active mode was reflected by implementing walls and roofs of superinsulated material.

Keywords : Dynamic energy simulation; energy consumption; microclimate; natural ventilation; thermal comfort.

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