He explained that when buildings are in the design stage, it is pertinent to take certain measures to ensure that they are not energy-intensive buildings and that they guarantee comfortable conditions from an air conditioning point of view for their inhabitants.
SANTO DOMINGO– Engineer Manuel González stated that 18.3% of the Dominican Republic's energy consumption comes from buildings, ranking third after the industrial sector (44.8%) and transportation (26.8%). “Energy efficiency in buildings is not a trivial matter, given that they represent a significant percentage of the country's energy consumption.”
In a talk on energy efficiency in buildings, given by the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), through the Directorate of Continuing Education, González addressed the importance of managing energy consumption in homes through changes in design structures.
He explained that when buildings are in the design stage, it is pertinent to take certain measures to ensure that they are not energy-intensive buildings and that they guarantee comfortable conditions from an air conditioning point of view for their inhabitants.
To that end, he mentioned several factors to consider: the orientation of the house with respect to the sun, the implementation of shading elements in the designs of new buildings such as awnings, overhangs, canopies, among others; the use of protective glass against the sun and insulated roofs.
He also advised using polystyrene sheets or blocks instead of concrete slabs in infrastructure and avoiding the construction of glass buildings. “Glass lets radiation through, so you would have to invest in air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature inside,” he explained, which would increase energy consumption in the home.
In the case of existing homes, he recommended the use of passive strategies such as covering roofs with plants, using polyurethane sheets that cover the roof and lower the temperature, covering windows with solar control films to prevent sunlight from entering the space and ensure temperature control.
The expert stated that since 1971, the demand for electricity and gas in Latin American and Caribbean households has tripled. He also cited the latest figures from the Green Building Council (GBC), which reveal that buildings account for 72% of electricity consumption, use 48.7% of energy, and emit 46.7% of CO2, thus increasing levels of environmental pollution.
Regulations for the electricity sector and buildings
González cited the General Electricity Law 125-01, which establishes standards, policies, and programs to promote energy efficiency in the Dominican Republic. However, he revealed that regulations controlling energy consumption in buildings are still lacking. “These regulations are crucial to achieving a more energy-sustainable future within a more economically and environmentally friendly framework.”.
Source: Listín Diario
