Towards a Sustainable Bioclimatic Approach for the Peruvian High Andean Rural Area: Evaluation of the Thermal Contribution of a Greenhouse Attached to a Dwelling
Abstract
The present study includes the experimental evaluation of two bioclimatic housing modules built in Imata, Arequipa, Peru, at 4500 masl. The modules are similar, differing only in a greenhouse attached to the North wall of one module. The objective was to determine the thermal-energy contribution of the greenhouse, as a passive component, by monitoring and recording the external and interior meteorological conditions of the modules under the same conditions of design, climate, and materials. A simulation, using the EnergyPlus software, is in good agreement with the measured experimental data, indicating that the attached greenhouse provides on the average a 5.4 °C temperature increase in the interior of the module and results in a daily energy saving of 5.60 kWh, compared to the module without greenhouse, if a inside temperature of 15 °C is desired.