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The use of setpoint temperatures based on adaptive thermal comfort models has been identified as an efficient energy saving measure in the latest years. The recent studies applying adaptive setpoint temperatures consider ASHRAE and EN16798-1 international models. However, this study has considered a local Japanese adaptive comfort model instead. Therefore, this study analyses the energy demand resulting from the application of a local Japanese comfort model and compares it with the energy demand resulting from the use of the worldwide ASHRAE Standard 55 adaptive model and other fixed setpoint temperatures. Building energy simulations have been performed considering all different climate zones in the territory of Japan, and also considering full air-conditioning and mixed-mode building operation modes, as well as present and future scenarios under the influence of climate change, namely Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 for years 2050 and 2100. Results show that energy savings ranging between 29 and 52% and 33 and 78% could be achieved by using setpoint temperatures based on the Japanese local adaptive comfort model respectively in full air-conditioning mode and mixed-mode. These results were obtained using the adaptive model for free running buildings, therefore assuming high levels of adaptation. In the context of climate change, the total energy demand decreases in cold climates between 14 and 65% and 18 and 91% for full air-conditioning mode and mixed mode respectively, while in warm climates, it increases between 8 and 36% and 17 and 51%, again respectively for full air-conditioning mode and mixed-mode. Therefore, the use of setpoint temperatures based on the Japanese local adaptive comfort model is identified as a very efficient energy saving strategy.

Including recycled waste material in cement mixes, as substitutes for natural aggregates, has resulted in diverse research projects, normally focused on mechanical capacities. In the case of recycled glass as an aggregate, this provides a noticeable improvement in thermal properties, depending on its dosage. This idea raises possible construction solutions that reduce the environmental impact and improves thermal behavior. For this research, an extended building typology that is susceptible to experiencing the risk of energy poverty has been chosen. The typology is typical for social housing, built using mortar blocks with crushed glass. First, the basic thermophysical properties of the mortars were determined by laboratory tests; after that, the dynamic thermal properties of representative constructive solutions using these mortars were simulated in seven representative climate zones in Chile. An analysis methodology based on periodic thermal transmittance, adaptive comfort levels and energy demand was run for the 21 proposed models. In addition, the results show that thermal comfort hours increases significantly in thermal zones 1, 2, 3 and 6; from 23 h up to 199 h during a year. It is in these zones where the distance with respect to the neutral temperature of the m50 solution reduces that of the m25 solution by half; i.e., in zone 1, from −429 ◦C with the m25 solution to −864 ◦C with the m50. This research intends to be a starting point to generate an analysis methodology for construction solutions in the built environment, from the point of view of thermal comfort. National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) of Chile

En los últimos años el cambio climático ha traído a la luz un creciente interés en su posible impacto entre las diversas actividades humanas, en las que sector de la construcción está incluido. Clima local determina las condiciones externas a las que los edificios tienen que adaptarse, teniendo una influencia directa sobre su demanda energética de calefacción y refrigeración. En este contexto, la simulación por ordenador ofrece herramientas útiles que ayudan en la evaluación de este impacto. Este estudio investiga cómo un cambio en los datos climáticos para escenarios futuros afectará la demanda energética de edificios de oficinas en la ciudad de Santiago (Chile). Los datos climáticos se han generado para los años 2020, 2050 y 2080 con el escenario de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero GEI A2 'medio' de acuerdo con el Panel Intergubernamental sobre Cambio Climático IPCC. La predicción de la demanda energética para los edificios se calcula por medio de una implementación del procedimiento de cálculo de la norma ISO- 13790:2008, tomando como condiciones externas los tres escenarios antes mencionados. Finalmente, se clarifica y optimiza el efecto del cambio climático en la demanda de energía para edificios de oficinas, basado en iteraciones de su envolvente y forma. Como resultado, esta investigación aclara cómo los escenarios de clima futuro afectarán a la demanda de energía para diferentes tipos de edificios de oficinas y cómo su forma y su envolvente pueden ser optimizados para contrarrestar este efecto.

Historic city centres have a large amount of dwellings in Europe, which were built to provide a comfortable shelter with the absence of mechanical means. The knowledge of climate responsive design strategies can play a significant role in reducing the energy demand of extant buildings, paving the way for its sustainable development in the face of the rising threat to its occupants of climate change. The residential architecture, developed, in most cases, in dense urban centres, was built using both available materials and traditional and academic construction technologies. This paper thoroughly investigates the extant urban conglomerate in Cádiz and analyses, in a qualitative and quantitative manner, which bioclimatic design strategies were applied and the city’s adaptation for future climate scenarios. The results indicate that historic housing in Cádiz is creatively adapted to the local natural conditions by means of a combination of climate responsive strategies, and there is significant scope for improvement in the ongoing response to global warming.