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Muñoz Gonzalez,C.; León Rodríguez, A.;Navarro Casas, J.(2016). Air conditioning and passive environmental techniques in historic churches in Mediterranean climate. A proposed method to assess damage risk and thermal comfort preintervetnion, simulation-bas

REVISTA: Energy and Buildings, 130, 567-577.
IMPACTO: JCR (2015): CONSTRUCTION BUILING TECHNOLOGY Q1
DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.08.078

ABSTRACT:

Churches, chapels and other places of worship are a major part of European cultural heritage which modern society has decided should be preserved for future generations. The indoor environment of these buildings crucial to conserving construction elements and movable artefacts [1]. In addition, in the Mediterranean the growing demand for thermal comfort from society has made the use of active environmental conditioning systems more common in spaces of worship. However, most of these techniques cannot simultaneously satisfy the needs of heritage preservation, human comfort and energy efficiency. In addition, energy consumption in such spaces tends to be high due to their large size and high thermal inertia. In some Mediterranean countries including Spain the thermal envelopes of these buildings are not contemplated in current environmental conditioning regulations. However, all thermal installations must ensure conditions of wellbeing, safety and energy efficiency. Studies such as European Project Friendly-Heating [2] highlight the problems caused by installing heating in old churches. In fact, these installations, whether they function continuously or intermittently, alter indoor environmental conditions, affecting both the buildings and the works of art they house. The case of the Spanish churches in Mediterranean climate is very different from that of the churches in northern Europe. Due to the temperate climate, heating demand is much lower in winter, while in spring and summer the demand for cooling and dehumidification is greater due to the high temperatures and outdoor humidity. This article describes research on environmental conditioning techniques, both passive and active, in spaces of worship in temperate climates. The main aim is to describe different environmental techniques to improve the thermal comfort conditions of the faithful while preserving the cultural heritage of these buildings. Different strategies and regimes were tested using monitoring and simulation. The simulation model was validated through measurement. In the church the indoor climate was monitored over a long period and the preservation conditions of the indoor climate on the historic building and its contents, and thermal comfort were evaluated.

HIGHLIGHTS:
HVAC and passive techniques in churches in Mediterranean climate are described Different strategies and regimes were tested using monitoring and simulation The use passive environmental techniques do not eliminate risk of preservation.
If the church flooring is insulated in summer, the thermal comfort decreases.
The energy consumption in church is high due to the large size and thermal inertia