Energy consumption to cool and heat experimental modules for the energy refurbishment of façades. Three case studies in Madrid

Abstract This article identifies the facade construction systems used on social housing in Madrid in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). A large percentage of the city’s present housing was built in that period, often under precarious circumstances, to accommodate rural migration to the city. The study described, inspired by the urgent need to improve the thermal performance of these enclosures to adapt them to today’s energy efficiency standards, consisted in monitoring innovative refurbishment solutions under controlled conditions. Three construction systems for facades were explored. One was the standard housing enclosure built in Madrid in the time frame mentioned, while the other two were solutions proposed for its energy refurbishment. The second system was a tile-based ventilated facade with national technical approval credentials and the third an ETIS (external thermal insulation system) with European technical approvals (ETA) credentials. The findings are analysed in terms of the energy consumption calculated for the three solutions. One of the most prominent conclusions of the study is that on south facades in climates where winter prevails (such as in Madrid), ETIS solutions are more effective than ventilated facades. In warmer climates and for other orientations, however, ventilated facades may be more efficient.