Building's eco-efficiency improvements based on reinforced concrete multilayer structural panels

[EN] The aim of this paper is to show the environmental benefits provided by the Multilayer Structural Panels technology when applied to construct low rise residential buildings. This is a holistic approach that takes into account the structural aspects and the environmental issues involved. Conclusions are based on the assessment of a broad set of cases and a procedure is provided to compare the environmental impact of each one. The design space was composed of single-family houses with three different building technologies: Reinforced Concrete Multilayer Structural Panels solving, at the same time and with high level of efficiency, structural and thermal insulation requirements; Reinforced Concrete Frame structures combined with insulated cavity walls; and Steel Frames structures plus insulated cavity walls. An optimized structural analysis was applied to fulfil the load transfer requirements. On each case were evaluated the economic cost, the embodied energy and the amount of CO2 emissions during the construction phase and also the energy savings obtained along the use phase of the building due to the reduction in heat losses. The conclusions show that the more substantial improvements can be achieved when buildings are located on intense seismic activity areas or places with poor bearing capacity soils.Perez-Garcia, A.; Guardiola Villora, AP.; González Pérez, G. (2014). Building's eco-efficiency improvements based on reinforced concrete multilayer structural panels. Energy and Buildings. 85:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.08.018S1118

Air conditioning and electricity expenditure: The role of climate in temperate countries

This paper investigates how households adopt and use air conditioning to adapt to climate change and increasingly high temperatures, which pose a threat to the health of vulnerable populations. The analysis examines conditions in eight temperate, industrialized countries (Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland). The identification strategy exploits cross-country and cross-household variations by matching geocoded households with climate data. Our findings suggest that households respond to excess heat by purchasing and using air conditioners, leading to increased electricity consumption. Households on average spend 35%–42% more on electricity when they adopt air conditioning. Through an illustrative analysis, we show that climate change and the growing demand for air conditioning are likely to exacerbate energy poverty. The number of energy poor who spend a high share of income on electricity increases, and households in the lowest income quantile are the most negatively affected

Energy-saving potential of large housing stocks of listed buildings, case study: l'Eixample of Valencia

[EN] A significant part of the European residential building stock is architectural heritage and is protected by law in different grades. Although these dwellings seldom fulfil the current eco-efficiency requirements, listed buildings are exempt from energy regulations requirements. This paper reviews the constructional characteristics common to 588 multi-storey listed buildings (circa 6000 dwellings) located in l'Eixample district in Valencia (Spain). The poor thermal performance of these buildings proven by this study reveal a significant potential for saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions, particularly when considering the current requirements fixed by the current Spanish building code. Retrofitting measures intended to improve the thermal behaviour of these buildings, while being respectful to their listed nature, are proposed and assessed in terms of energy demand, air pollution and economy.Perez-Garcia, A.; Guardiola, AP.; Gómez-Martínez, F.; Guardiola Villora, AP. (2018). Energy-saving potential of large housing stocks of listed buildings, case study: l'Eixample of Valencia. Sustainable Cities and Society. 42:59-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2018.06.018S59814