Sustainable energy performance in Brazilian social housing: A proposal for a Sustainability Index in the energy life cycle considering climate change

The main goal of this research is the proposal of an integrated approach, considering sustainability indicators related to energy life cycle of the building, for evaluation of energy efficiency measures with adaptation to climate change in Brazilian social housing projects. A Sustainability Index in the Energy Life Cycle was proposed that includes indicators associated to environmental, energy, economic aspects and user thermal comfort. A case study applied in the city of São Paulo, considered a representative project of the sector and cases with energy efficiency adaptation measures for three climate scenarios, considering climate change. The integrated approach highlighted the importance of the initial selection of materials, considering their associated impacts as well as the thermal and energy performance of the building during its life time, and the importance of climate change for the operational phase of the building. With the Sustainability Index in the Energy Life Cycle, large reductions were obtained comparing cases with adaptation measures to current practice. Results of this research contribute to improve project’s decisions with the incorporation of a holistic approach for the projects that are being produced for the housing deficit, considering better energy performance and lower resource consumption for users and the country in the long term.