**4. Discussion of the results**

#### **4.1 LAD-MA housing monitoring**

NET ADMO environmental measurement equipment was installed in 4 homes originally built with the LAD-MA system. It is worth mentioning that the 4 LAD-MA homes monitored present differences in their state of conservation and their current architectural configuration due to the different modifications and extensions that users have made since they were delivered. The first and second level extensions that have been adhered to the original LAD-MA modules are wooden structures that have been progressively built by the owners, in general with a low thermal standard. However, they have generated an effect on the environmental conditions of the original module. **Table 4** presents a brief architectural characterization of the 4 monitored dwellings, highlighting in color the location of the original LAD-MA module in each case, the orientation of the dwelling relative north, and the description of the general state of conservation in each a. case.

The results of the environmental measurement of the 4 LAD-MA houses in Peñalolén, showed that they present minimum periods of thermal comfort, which are reduced towards the winter months. The average temperature in the monitored homes during February is 24°C, while the average temperature barely reaches 14°C in July. On the other hand, the indoor relative humidity oscillates within acceptable levels. **Table 5** presents graphs of the average monthly conditions of temperature, and relative humidity, together with some general observations.

Finally, when analyzing the Percentage of People in Thermal Dissatisfaction through the PPD indicator, during the months in which the LAD-MA dwellings were monitored, it is observed that the dwellings present high levels of dissatisfaction. On average, under the parameters of the ISO 7730 standard, the 4 thermally monitored homes have 75% thermal discomfort in the total measurement period

#### **Table 4.**

*Characterization of the Homes built in the monitored LAD-MA System, Peñalolén, Santiago. Own elaboration.*

*Evaluation of Well-Being and Thermal Comfort of the LAD-MA Construction System for Low… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98699*

#### **Table 5.**

*Comparison ofAverage IndoorTemperatureandRelativeHumidityinmonitoredLAD-MA homes.Own elaboration.*

#### **Table 6.**

*Analysis of time of discomfort of the Monitored LAD-MA Homes. Own elaboration.*

and 71% during the limited period of occupancy, while under the parameters of the ASHRAE 55 standard, the 4 monitored dwellings have 57.5% of thermal discomfort time in the total measurement period and 54% during the limited period of occupation. Towards the winter months, the period of discomfort increases between 80% and 90% of the occupation time, due to the low temperatures inside the houses. The above is observed in **Table 6**.

#### **4.2 Thermal Transmittance Analysis of the LAD-MA construction system**

The next stage of the study analyzes the thermal performance of the wall construction system of the LAD-MA module, together with the adjustments required so that the system can comply with the country's thermal regulations. To carry out this first part of the analysis, the Therm 7.7 thermal transmission calculation simulation tool was used to represent a typical section of the LAD-MA wall, composed of brick plates and wooden studs.

For analysis purposes, some characteristics of materials have been assumed based on the Chilean Standard NCh 853, which presents typical conductivities of materials according to their density. The edge conditions used have been 6.5°C outside and 25 W/m2K of air film coefficient on the outside, and 13°C inside, with 7.69 W/m2K of air film coefficient on the inside.

Thermal analysis of the original construction system was carried out, plus the analysis of 4 variants that represent possible improvements of the thermal

*Evaluation of Well-Being and Thermal Comfort of the LAD-MA Construction System for Low… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98699*

envelope. The summary of transmittance and thermal resistance results of the variants studied is presented in **Table 7**.

The analysis of variants allows us to observe the alternatives for improving the thermal quality for the LAD-MA construction system, to the extent that stucco (variant 1 and 2) and thermal insulation could be progressively added to the walls (variant 3 and 4), in the context of a thermal improvement for said dwellings. From the point of view of thermal resistance, it is evident that the incorporation of thermal insulating materials contributes in a better way to the fulfillment of the thermal regulations for homes. The most recommended solution being the installation of thermal insulation on both sides of the wall, thus which the thermal transmittance of the wall would make it possible to comply with the normative requirements in force in 6 of the 7 thermal zones, and with the normative requirements of the third stage of

**Table 7.** *Constructive analysis of variants System LAD - MA. Own elaboration.*

the thermal regulation of houses, in 4 of the 8 thermal zones. It is worth mentioning that this thermal solution can be obtained in several ways, among others by using a solution of the STATE type (Exterior Thermal Insulation System). Better known in Chile by its acronym in English EIFS (Exterior insulation finishing system) that incorporate a plastered plaster on the outside, or failing that, by installing a secondary

**Figure 5.** *Computational thermal model in Design Builder program. Own elaboration.*


#### **Table 8.**

*PMV and PPD indicators of the LAD-MA module, depending on the variants studied. Own elaboration.*

*Evaluation of Well-Being and Thermal Comfort of the LAD-MA Construction System for Low… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98699*

structure that serves to support some thermal insulator in plate or roll format, on which a wooden or similar coating is installed.
