Assessing the applicability of various climatic zoning methods for building construction: case study from the extreme southern part of Chile

Abstract

This study presents the results of the assessment of current climatic zoning for building construction in two regions in the extreme southern part of Chile. The simulation of heating energy consumption for a detached single-family dwelling was performed in 680 geographical locations in the study area. The dwelling, which complied with all the technical energy efficiency policies of the country, exhibited an oscillation of heating energy consumption in a range of 75–300 kWh/m2/year. The possibility of using bioclimatic zoning and zoning based on cluster analysis was assessed to determine the main parameters that might affect climatic zoning for residential buildings. The study revealed possible optimal parameters for the development of a new zoning system in the study area, namely: (i) level of heating energy consumption based on simulation in diverse geographical locations, (ii) climatic values of heating degree-days, and (iii) climatic values of direct solar radiation.