Investigan prototipos de invernadero para lograr temperaturas confortables y menor consumo de energía en viviendas
Research on greenhouse prototypes to achieve comfortable temperatures and lower energy consumption in homes
The group SAVIArquitectura of the University of Navarra presents the results of this innovative project, developed in the last five years.
The University of Navarra's group SAVIArquitectura has developed four innovative prefabricated greenhouse modules for housing. They can be installed on any south-facing facade subject and achieve comfort temperatures inside the home with lower energy consumption through solar collection, heat accumulation and distribution between the greenhouse and the living space and, finally, energy conservation when the sun's radiation is no longer shining.
The energy performance of the prototypes has been compared and analyzed by monitoring them in situ in two booths located at car park of campus. By means of several tests, their operation has been validated both in winter and summer, during the day and at night.
The storage greenhouses are composed of two sheets of glass between which there is a space containing a metal accumulator that holds water in winter. They are attached to the facade by means of a substructure that is anchored from slab to slab.
Good energy performance in summer and winter
In the coldest season, the outer and inner panes are closed. Thanks to the exterior glass and the greenhouse effect, solar energy is stored in the water tank and the heat is distributed to the interior of the house. The effect of the storage tank means that there is less oscillation between maximum and minimum temperatures, increasing indoor comfort and reducing the use of heating, even on very cold but sunny days. Another advantage is that, being a double enclosure element, there is less air infiltration.
In summer, during the day, the interior space of the greenhouse should be ventilated by opening the outer leaf, and the accumulator and the inner leaf should be protected from direct radiation. At night, the greenhouse must be opened to ventilate the interior of the house crosswise with the north facade. Of the four prototypes, one achieved a maximum interior temperature of no more than 25ºC.
This research has been carried out over the last five years. It is part of the project Conclimat 'Industrialization of low-cost bioclimatic housing', which has designed a housing model that combines high energy efficiency - it offers up to 50% demand savings - with optimized cost.
In addition to the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra (group SAVIArquitectura), the Government of Navarra participates as sponsor, the National Renewable Energy Center (CENER), the Environmental Resources Center of Navarra (CRANA), the Public University of Navarra and the following companies: Abaigar, Acciona Instalaciones, ACR, AH, Miyabi and Rockwool.
The group SAVIArquitectura of the University of Navarra is directed by Ana Sánchez-Ostiz and composed of Purificación González, Aurora Monge, Silvia Domingo, Joaquín Torres, María Chaverri and Laura Virto.