Comparative analysis of thermal comfort of a single-family house in LSF and brick masonry

Abstract

Residential construction in Ecuador has recently grown by 35.6%. The typical construction system for housing envelopes is concrete block or brick, construction in LSF, Light Steel Framing or galvanized steel frames (LSF,) is emerging. To solve the housing demand, the thermal interior comfort of a two-story single-family home in the city of Cuenca is evaluated with both construction systems to know the comfort standards offered by homes in accordance with the Ecuadorian Construction Standard. (NEC). The research was carried out with Design Builder and Therm where the parameters that influence the energy performance of homes are analyzed. Under local conditions, the predominant system reaches annual hourly thermal comfort values of 51%, but the LSF system reaches 62%. However, with improvement strategies in the overall envelope, the LSF reaches 86%. The variables in order from greater to lesser thermal influence resulted: Air infiltrations, construction system of the envelope and implantation of the house. In Cuenca it is feasible to use the LSF with minimum insulation to reach acceptable levels of comfort, being an adequate alternative to promote to build single-family homes.