Analysis of energy consumption patterns in multi-family housing in a moderate cold climate

CELINA FILIPPÍN,; SILVANA FLORES LARSEN

ENERGY POLICY

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam, Holanda; Año: 2008

0301-4215

This paper analyzes the energy consumption during the period 2001-2006 of 192 flats distributed in three-storey buildings, in order to understand how current policies related to energy use could be improved for increased residential energy efficiency in Argentina. The buildings (1, 2 and 3 bedrooms) are located in La Pampa, central Argentina, in a moderate cold climate. The dimensional and energy-consumption variables are studied (area, envelope’s area, FAEP = envelope’s area / floor area; envelope’s thermal resistance R, volumetric heat loss G, and auxiliary heating Qaux). The natural gas consumption is analyzed at annual and seasonal levels. Consumption variability among buildings, storeys and flats is calculated. The quantitative analysis is coupled to a qualitative description through direct observation of the buildings. The results show: (a) a high incidence of natural gas consumption in the total annual energy consumption (natural gas + electricity); (b) seasonality of natural gas consumption, with a maximum value in the cold period July-August (variability = 80%); (c) little variability among buildings of the annual natural gas consumption (4.17%); (d) the lowest average energy consumption at the first floor; (e) high variability among flats on each storey; (f) winter consumption of a multi-family dwelling lower than a single-family dwelling of similar area; and (g) little seasonal variability of the electricity consumption.