Simulating specific bioclimatic strategies to recover valuable designs in vernacular architecture. Case study: thermal inertia in El Valle

Abstract

This article provides a method to analyse energy efficiency in existing bioclimatic strategy in vernacular dwellings. It has been tested in the Jerte Valley in Cáceres, Spain, that holds a stock of about three thousand historical housing. First, three building models have been defined. Furthermore, the energy behaviour of the thermal inertia strategy, provided by the large masses of stone walls of the building envelopes, and by the earth in direct contact with the ground floor, has been specifically simulated. Simulations were conducted in which the massive elements were eliminated to allow the differences in hygrothermal conditions and energy exchanges to be estimated, either heating or cooling energy. The findings indicate that this strategy is advantageous, affording indoor temperatures stabilization in relation to the outdoor oscillation, which close them to the more pleasant daytime averages. Identifying the bioclimatic strategies enables to propose the valorisation of vernacular designs.