Reducing Energy Poverty and Carbon Footprint of Social Housing Projects

Abstract

Energy poverty is a social problem in which building construction and its future renovations can be key factors in reducing energy demand and improving tenants’ quality of life. In the retrofitting processes, it is also important to consider adaptability and regional scenarios. For this, the present work proposes an assessment model which takes into consideration energy consumption, comfort, tenants’ health, and monetary poverty. The previous model is combined with the calculation of the carbon footprint of direct and indirect impacts of the building life cycle, and the impact of the retrofittings can be determined in terms of CO2 emissions. A case study of social housings in Huelva, Spain, is analysed, defining the impact in energy poverty of different tenants’ situations, the construction, and its future retrofitting projects.