Abstract

GEOVANNI, SIEM. Simulation of the thermal performance of low cost houses in Venezuela to improve thermal comfort. Rev. Fac. Ing. UCV [online]. 2007, vol.22, n.4, pp.77-88. ISSN 0798-4065.

This work aims to investigate the thermal behaviour of low cost houses widespread in many regions in Venezuela and discuss their suitability to climatic conditions, aided by ArchiPak™, a simulation software developed by Dr. Steven Szokolay. The simulation conditions correspond to three important cities located at different altitudes: Caracas (880 m), Maracaibo (40 m) and Mérida (1500 m). Frequently the occupants complain of low thermal comfort, especially in the warmhumid climate which prevails in most of the cities and populated areas. As a solution the owners undergo some modifications based on installing air conditioning equipment which is accompanied with additional energy consumption and maintenance costs. The results showed that the inside temperature at low altitudes is very high and houses are uncomfortable the whole year. At mid and high altitude the temperatures are close to the comfort zones and it is possible to improve their performance with appropriate design strategies. The modifications include solar protection in windows and a good orientation improve thermal behavior to a small degree: hence, it is necessary to use these together with other solutions focused on using materials in walls and roofs with more appropriate thermal properties to produce significant improvements.

Keywords : Low cost housing; Comfort; Energy; Simulation; Hot humid climate.