MEJORA DE LA EFICIENCIA TÉRMICA Y DEL CONFORT MEDIANTE FACHADAS VERDES EN VIVIENDAS DE INTERÉS SOCIAL EN CLIMA SUBTROPICAL

The study investigates the thermal efficiency and indoor comfort of green façades in affordable housing units located in Santa Maria, southern Brazil. Over the course of one year, six housing units were monitored to evaluate summer performance, with five units incorporating green façades and one serving as a control unit without vegetation. Data collection focused on climate parameters, such as air temperature and relative humidity, recorded every 15 minutes using thermal sensors and thermographic imaging. The results reveal that the green façades significantly enhanced thermal performance by reducing surface temperatures and improving indoor thermal comfort. The maximum observed temperature difference between units with green façades and the control unit reached 12.6 Cº. The thermographic images visually validated these findings, visually confirming the cooling effect. Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) analyses further demonstrated increased thermal comfort in green façade units, with the highest PET difference of 6.5 ºC recorded on February 24. The findings advocate for broader adoption of green façades in social housing in any geographic location, emphasizing their role in addressing environmental challenges, improving energy efficiency, and promoting occupant well-being in urban settings.