To reduce the energy consumption in buildings is necessary to analyze individual rooms and thermal zones, studying mathematical models and applying new control techniques. In this paper, the design, simulation and experimental evaluation of a sliding mode controller for regulating internal temperature in a thermal zone is presented. We propose an experiment with small physical dimensions, consisting of a closed wooden box with heat internal sources to stimulate temperature gradients through operating and shut down cycles.

The analysis and modeling of unconventional thermal zones is a first step for the inclusion of low-cost spaces and for the assessment of the environmental impact among areas of human use in warm climates. In this paper, the heat transfer in a geodesic dome located at the University of Magdalena (Colombia) is modeled and simulated. The simulator is calibrated against experimental measurements and used to study the effect of different loads which are regulated by a controller in sliding modes explicitly designed for this case. The closed-loop system is used together with ASHRAE Standard 55 to characterize comfort conditions within the dome and the effect on the overall thermal sensation with increasing the number of occupants.

Non-conventional thermal zones are low-cost and ecology friendly alternatives to the housing needs of populations in various situations, such as surviving natural disasters or addressing homelessness. However, it is necessary to guarantee thermal comfort for occupants, while aiming to minimize energy consumption and wastage in refrigeration systems. To reduce the cooling requirements in non-conventional thermal zones it is necessary to model the structure and analyze the principal factors contributing to internal temperature. In this paper, a geodesic dome is modellingusing the lumped parameter technique. This structure is composed of a wooden skeleton and wooden floor, with a canvas surface as its exterior. The mathematical model was tuned using experimental data, and its parameters were classified using Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis. The mathematical model was used to evaluate the impact on internal temperature and occupants’ comfort when two strategies are considered. The results obtained indicatee internal temperature reductions down to a range of 7% to 11%; this result is reflected directly in the energy used to refrigerate the thermal zone, contributing to the objective of providing houses with lower energy consumption.

Asymmetric thermal zones or even non-rectangular structures are common in residential buildings. These types of structures are not easy to model with specialized programs, and it is difficult to know the heat flows and the relationships between the different variables. This paper presents a methodology for modeling structures with multiple thermal zones using the graph theory arrangement. The methodology allows for generating a mathematical model using all the walls of each thermal zone. The modeling method uses the lumped parameter technique with a structure of two resistors and two capacitors for each thermal zone. The walls and internal surfaces of each zone define the thermal resistances, and the elements for the network structure are created by reducing resistances. The structure selected as a case study is similar to a residential apartment, which demonstrates the possibility of modeling complex and non-traditional structures. The accuracy of the generated mathematical model is verified by comparison with experimental data recorded in a scaled-down model. The reduced model is constructed using a 1:10 ratio with a real apartment. The proposed methodology is used to generate a graph arrangement adjusted to the case study, using the surfaces to build the mathematical model. The experimental data allowed to adjust the simulation results with errors in the range of 1.88% to 6.63% for different thermal zones. This methodology can be used to model different apartments, offices, or non-asymmetric structures and to analyze individual levels in buildings.

Thermal coating paints offer a passive strategy to reduce heat gain in buildings, improve ventilation, and lower energy consumption. This study investigates the effectiveness of these technologies by comparing different housing structures and environmental conditions. Specifically, it examines thermal envelope solutions for cool roofs in homes along the Colombian Caribbean Coast. We quantify the thermal impacts using experimental data collected from 120 houses across eight municipalities in the Magdalena Department, Colombia. The research details the technology and analytical methods employed, focusing on thermal reductions achieved through thermal coatings to potentially reduce energy demand. A comprehensive measurement system, incorporating temperature and humidity sensors, is developed to assess the impact of the coatings. Thermal comfort is evaluated according to the ASHRAE 55 standard, with temperature reductions calculated for each house treated with thermal coatings. A methodology is applied to evaluate the thermal reduction between a house with a coating solution versus a house without it. The results show a temperature reduction on a house-by-house basis, from 1.5% to 16%. On average, the results yield a significant 7% reduction in thermal load. Additionally, a mobile application is developed to disseminate the results of this research, promoting the social appropriation of science among the involved communities.