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Prioritising Passive Measures over Air Conditioning to Achieve Thermal Comfort in Mediterranean Baroque Churches

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  • Robert C. Vella

    (Departamento Ingeniería Energética y Fluidomecánica, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Valladolid, P. Del Cauce, 59, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
    Current Address: 25/5, Menton Court, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, SLM 1904 Sliema, Malta.)

  • Charles Yousif

    (Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Malta, MXK 1531 Marsaxlokk, Malta)

  • Francisco Javier Rey Martinez

    (Departamento Ingeniería Energética y Fluidomecánica, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Valladolid, P. Del Cauce, 59, 47011 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Javier María Rey Hernandez

    (Departamento de Enseñanzas Técnicas, Miguel de Cervantes European University, C/Padre Julio Chevalier, n°2, 47012 Valladolid, Spain)

Abstract

Malta, as a member of the European Union (EU), has pledged to become carbon neutral by the year 2050. Concurrently, the need for thermal comfort for people within places of worship has expanded tremendously in recent years. As a result, prioritizing passive methods over mechanical air-conditioning systems in such buildings is an essential step toward protecting the macroclimate while achieving a sustainable and comfortable indoor environment. Using DesignBuilder-EnergyPlus software, this paper examines the effectiveness of selective passive measures in two free-running church buildings. Results show that certain passive measures alleviate severe high and low indoor temperatures, resulting in a more comfortable environment. Environmental control, on the other hand, present difficult conservation challenges. Historic church buildings were initially built to make use of passive design features for internal comfort, and this study shows that they outperform expectations and, in general, outperform more contemporary church structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert C. Vella & Charles Yousif & Francisco Javier Rey Martinez & Javier María Rey Hernandez, 2022. "Prioritising Passive Measures over Air Conditioning to Achieve Thermal Comfort in Mediterranean Baroque Churches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8261-:d:856890
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mamdooh Alwetaishi & Ashraf Balabel & Ahmed Abdelhafiz & Usama Issa & Ibrahim Sharaky & Amal Shamseldin & Mohammed Al-Surf & Mosleh Al-Harthi & Mohamed Gadi, 2020. "User Thermal Comfort in Historic Buildings: Evaluation of the Potential of Thermal Mass, Orientation, Evaporative Cooling and Ventilation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Ballarini, Ilaria & Corgnati, Stefano Paolo & Corrado, Vincenzo, 2014. "Use of reference buildings to assess the energy saving potentials of the residential building stock: The experience of TABULA project," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 273-284.
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    4. Michael Darmanis & Murat Çakan & Konstantinos P. Moustris & Kosmas A. Kavadias & Konstantinos-Stefanos P. Nikas, 2020. "Utilisation of Mass and Night Ventilation in Decreasing Cooling Load Demand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-11, September.
    5. Robert C. Vella & Francisco Javier Rey Martinez & Charles Yousif & Liberato Camilleri, 2021. "Thermal Comfort in Places of Worship within a Mediterranean Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-26, June.
    6. Hanan S.S. Ibrahim & Ahmed Z. Khan & Waqas Ahmed Mahar & Shady Attia & Yehya Serag, 2021. "Assessment of Passive Retrofitting Scenarios in Heritage Residential Buildings in Hot, Dry Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-27, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariangela De Vita & Marianna Rotilio & Chiara Marchionni & Pierluigi De Berardinis, 2023. "Architectural Heritage Indoor Comfort after Retrofit Works: The Case Study of S. Vito Church in L’Aquila, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, May.

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