06/06/2024
Buildings of the Future: a commitment to combat energy poverty and thermal inefficiency.
Giacomini Portugal: a commitment to combat energy poverty and thermal inefficiency
Portugal must adopt effective strategies and solutions to address the widespread issues of energy poverty and thermal inefficiency affecting the majority of households. This will tackle two major problems in the country: lack of comfort and high energy costs. According to the 2021 census data, only 14% of Portuguese homes have centralized heating, while 80% need improvements in their heating systems, affecting more than 3 million homes.
"Buildings of the Future" was the central theme of the International Congress held on Thursday, June 6th, at the University of Minho in Braga. The event was attended by Altino Bessa, Councillor for Environment and Tourism of Braga Municipality, and Miguel Bandeira, Vice-Rector of the University of Minho, along with numerous national and international experts and researchers in the fields of HVAC, construction, and architecture.
Thermal Challenges in Portuguese Homes
Portuguese families face extreme temperatures, with homes being hot in summer and cold in winter. To ensure thermal comfort for all, greater sustainability and efficiency are essential. Here are some key data points:
A Commitment to Sustainability
During the congress, Altino Bessa highlighted the need to find a "balance between sustainability and comfort, both from the financial investment perspective and energy consumption, which must be low," applicable to residential, commercial, and public buildings.
Miguel Bandeira discussed the "design of sustainability," emphasizing that it is a central issue in research projects and business strategies, integrating the value chain of organizations.
Innovative Solutions from Giacomini Portugal
Luís Ramos of Giacomini Portugal presented various options for practical and high-efficiency air conditioning technologies that could revolutionize the future, such as radiant technology. One of the most surprising and interesting solutions was the use of hydrogen as an energy source for space heating, offering a quiet, efficient, invisible, and sustainable system.
A Pioneering Initiative
"This was a pioneering initiative in Portugal that addressed a real problem affecting hundreds of families in our country," stated Vasco Silva, CEO of Giacomini Portugal. "The 2021 census confirms that only 14% of Portuguese homes have centralized heating. Additionally, 80% of households need to improve their heating systems, which means there are more than 3 million homes. And 30% of homes have no form of heating," he explained.
The event was a significant step towards raising awareness and promoting innovative solutions to improve thermal efficiency and combat energy poverty in Portugal. Giacomini Portugal continues to lead in the search for sustainable and practical solutions to ensure thermal comfort for all Portuguese families.
