Comparative Analysis of Thermal Behaviour in Heritage in Different Seasons. The Royal Hospital of Granada

Abstract

Intervention in cultural heritage buildings today involves improving energy performance that achieves a reduction in energy consumption and emissions, improving the quality of the environment. To carry it out, the studies and actions are mainly focused on the facades, which forces us to propose strategies for which it is necessary to carry out specific studies of the envelope, since various construction and material solutions are recognized in these buildings. On the other hand, the preservation of the protected elements forces to discard proposals applied in buildings of recent construction. The objective of this study focuses on the comparison of the thermal behavior in the Royal Hospital of Granada (Spain) in locations with different orientation and for two different periods. For this purpose, a methodology based on the study of thermal patterns in situ is used through the application of non-destructive techniques and the thermal simulation of the rooms by computer systems, for the different periods. The results confirm the importance and improvement of the thermal behavior in the analyzed spaces depending on the orientation, the use of the adjoining spaces, the climatic conditions and the construction system based on thick stone walls. In addition, thermal comfort conditions offer significant differences between rooms. As a whole, they offer valuable information that will allow strategic planning of the building to be carried out in the actions planned for the future, taking into account its use and its location, guaranteeing more efficient and effective rehabilitation actions.