CONFORT TÉRMICO E HIGROTÉRMICO EN LAS VIVIENDAS RURALES DEL CANTÓN CUENCA

Abstract

Thermal and hygrothermal comfort influences the health and quality of rural life in Cuenca, where precarious self-built houses lack insulation, ventilation, and adequate materials, aggravating social, environmental, and energy problems due to adverse climatic conditions and economic limitations. This research article aims to examine the level of thermal and hygrothermal comfort inside rural dwellings located in the parishes of El Valle and Paccha, in the canton of Cuenca. To this end, variables related to ambient temperature, relative humidity, air circulation, as well as the materials used and the predominant construction systems are considered. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach combining the collection of numerical information through physical measurements with the obtaining of qualitative perceptions through interviews with the inhabitants. The findings enable assessment of current habitability conditions and, in turn, the proposal of guidelines and alternatives to optimize thermal and hygrothermal comfort in the living spaces studied. .

Keywords: Thermal conductivity, energy efficiency, habitability, humidity, thermal bridges, temperature, thermal transmittance, wind.