Retrospective analysis of the energy consumption of single-family dwellings in central Argentina. Retrofitting and adaptation to the climate change

Abstract

Two different analyses of the energy behavior of dwellings in Santa Rosa city (36°27' S, 64° 27' W, 182 m above sea level), in central Argentina, are presented. Firstly, a retrospective analysis of the operating energy -electricity and gas- of 10 compact housing in a period of 50 years is presented. Periods with missing data were fulfilled through predictive statistical models. Then, a “case study” was used to study different retrofitting strategies and to make a prospective analysis for future weather conditions calculated through the CMIP5-Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-Phase 5. The results indicate that the addition of thermal insulation in walls and roofs is highly beneficial, but the increase of glazed areas seems to be counterproductive. The energy demands for 2010 and 2039, for both the conventional and the retrofitted dwelling, show a decrease in winter and an increase in summer. We conclude that it is necessary to revise the dimensions suggested for the glazed areas, in order to deal with present and future indoor overheating. This paper presents the integration of past, present and future, towards a better comprehension of the challenges to be faced in the next decades.