The state provides 30% of houses per year in the city of Mendoza. This study evaluates: (a) the thermal-energy quality of a social house, through in-situ measurements under conditions of actual use; (b) needed energy requirements through a balance; (c) a simulation of the house using the SIMEDIF program, in which the model was adjusted, and some easy to implement and economical improvements were tested; and (d) a qualitative survey of thermal sensations. The results indicated that the building has a deficit in its thermal and energy efficiency: real energy consumption is lower than the results obtained by calculation. This is presumably because the user is unable to bear the financial cost of the energy consumption that would keep the house in a comfort situation. Improvements in the thermal quality of the envelope, which were considered in the simulation, result in 35.6% of energy savings and the achievement of comfort conditions in the housing spaces.
Thermal-energy efficiency; Social housing; Bioclimatic rehabilitation