Influence of the urban heat island effect on interstitial condensation in residential buildings with a temperate oceanic climate in winter: Case of Puerto Montt, Chile

Abstract

Interstitial condensation is a phenomenon that occurs when, somewhere inside aconstruction element, a pressure equal to or greater than the saturation pressure is reached. Atthis time, condensation will occur inside the element, producing interstitial condensation. Thisphenomenon occurs mainly in the winter. This type of condensation produces various problems,such as the deterioration of materials, humidity, reduced comfort conditions inside the home andhealth problems. Further, the urban heat island effect means that due to different factors —building materials, green areas, volumes— temperatures are not homogeneous in all areas of thecity. This effect makes the same building in different areas behave differently. This researchaimed to analyse the influence of the urban heat island effect on interstitial conditions in atemperate oceanic climate. This study was carried out through a case study consisting of a typicalhouse, with three different constructive solutions, located in four representative city points. Thecity where the experiment was carried out corresponds to Puerto Montt, in the south of Chile.Puerto Montt has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers and long winters. The researchresults will be helpful when selecting different constructive solutions for the thermal envelopein cities with temperate oceanic climates.