192
C. F. Albrecht et al.
2005) which was the only national performance regulation by the time the system was
launched. The energy efficiency category involves technical systems and renewables,
for example, individual gas and water measuring in multifamily buildings, domestic
hot water (DHW), and energy generation (Caixa Econômica Federal 2010).
By the time Selo Casa Azul was launched, the Brazilian labeling program for
buildings, which is called PBE Edifica, defined criteria for energy efficiency in the
residential sector focused on natural air conditioning and water heating. As Selo Casa
Azul, PBE Edifica based its quantitative design requirements following the parameters from NBR 15220 including those for enclosure materials and colors, internal
inertia use, fenestrations for natural lighting and ventilation (ABNT 2005). However, the program presents different requirements for better performance of naturally
conditioned buildings according to one of the 8 climate zones. The requirements
for more efficient equipment use are considered as they increase energy efficiency
performance of the housing unit (INMETRO 2010).
While PBE Edifica does not distinguish requirements for social housing, as Selo
Casa Azul, some criteria are clearly dedicated to that design scope including the
incorporation of an energy efficient refrigerator in the building for avoiding that a
low-income resident installs a non-efficient one that may be cheaper. Though, the
purchase of low efficient refrigerators are avoided and old ones are removed from
the market and use. In addition, it is important to highlight that PBE Edifica indicates
the energy efficiency level of the artificially conditioned housing as an informative
item that is not used for the final energy performance level (INMETRO 2010).
In 2013, NBR 15575—Housing Performance was launched complementing content included in NBR 15220. NBR 15220 defines general criteria for thermal performance and indicates measures for better thermal performance of social housing.
NBR 15575 presents performance criteria for any housing, including thermal issues
among others as maintenance, durability, fire safety, structure, lighting, and acoustics. Therefore, it establishes a minimal performance threshold for minimum housing
quality.
NBR 15575 had a better adoption by the construction industry than Selo Casa
Azul and PBE Edifica, which are volunteer programs for sustainability and energy
efficiency, respectively. A comparative research between Selo Casa Azul and PBE
Edifica requirements applied to the same housing development demonstrated that the
energy efficient and comfort measures from PBE Edifica for a level A labeled unit
increased the number of hours with thermal comfort by 22% based on ASHRAE
55 (ANSI/ASHRAE 2010) against 5% increase for Gold label housing unit from
Selo Casa Azul (Telles and Pessanha 2012). However, Selo Casa Azul criteria have
a more friendly language and organization for laypeople and design professionals
(Telles and Carlo 2012). Indeed, PBE Edifica for commercial buildings and housing
defined a paradigm shift for the Brazilian professional practice.
The main obstacles for PBE Edifica criteria adoption are in the design phase.
This fact was observed through an experiment to improve the thermal quality in
low-income multifamily housing located in hot and humid climate while aiming for
sustainability. In this experiment two main aspects are related to materials and natural
ventilation. Based on that it was observed that:
C. F. Albrecht et al.
2005) which was the only national performance regulation by the time the system was
launched. The energy efficiency category involves technical systems and renewables,
for example, individual gas and water measuring in multifamily buildings, domestic
hot water (DHW), and energy generation (Caixa Econômica Federal 2010).
By the time Selo Casa Azul was launched, the Brazilian labeling program for
buildings, which is called PBE Edifica, defined criteria for energy efficiency in the
residential sector focused on natural air conditioning and water heating. As Selo Casa
Azul, PBE Edifica based its quantitative design requirements following the parameters from NBR 15220 including those for enclosure materials and colors, internal
inertia use, fenestrations for natural lighting and ventilation (ABNT 2005). However, the program presents different requirements for better performance of naturally
conditioned buildings according to one of the 8 climate zones. The requirements
for more efficient equipment use are considered as they increase energy efficiency
performance of the housing unit (INMETRO 2010).
While PBE Edifica does not distinguish requirements for social housing, as Selo
Casa Azul, some criteria are clearly dedicated to that design scope including the
incorporation of an energy efficient refrigerator in the building for avoiding that a
low-income resident installs a non-efficient one that may be cheaper. Though, the
purchase of low efficient refrigerators are avoided and old ones are removed from
the market and use. In addition, it is important to highlight that PBE Edifica indicates
the energy efficiency level of the artificially conditioned housing as an informative
item that is not used for the final energy performance level (INMETRO 2010).
In 2013, NBR 15575—Housing Performance was launched complementing content included in NBR 15220. NBR 15220 defines general criteria for thermal performance and indicates measures for better thermal performance of social housing.
NBR 15575 presents performance criteria for any housing, including thermal issues
among others as maintenance, durability, fire safety, structure, lighting, and acoustics. Therefore, it establishes a minimal performance threshold for minimum housing
quality.
NBR 15575 had a better adoption by the construction industry than Selo Casa
Azul and PBE Edifica, which are volunteer programs for sustainability and energy
efficiency, respectively. A comparative research between Selo Casa Azul and PBE
Edifica requirements applied to the same housing development demonstrated that the
energy efficient and comfort measures from PBE Edifica for a level A labeled unit
increased the number of hours with thermal comfort by 22% based on ASHRAE
55 (ANSI/ASHRAE 2010) against 5% increase for Gold label housing unit from
Selo Casa Azul (Telles and Pessanha 2012). However, Selo Casa Azul criteria have
a more friendly language and organization for laypeople and design professionals
(Telles and Carlo 2012). Indeed, PBE Edifica for commercial buildings and housing
defined a paradigm shift for the Brazilian professional practice.
The main obstacles for PBE Edifica criteria adoption are in the design phase.
This fact was observed through an experiment to improve the thermal quality in
low-income multifamily housing located in hot and humid climate while aiming for
sustainability. In this experiment two main aspects are related to materials and natural
ventilation. Based on that it was observed that: