CLIMATE CHARACTERIZATION OF GUATEMALA FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENCY CONSIDERATIONS IN BUILDINGS

ABSTRACT

The certification process for buildings in Guatemala promotes using the ASHRAE 90.1 standard. Its proper implementation relies on climate information to establish zones characterized by energy performance. However, the quality of applications has been declining due to deficiencies in the local climate services provided. This study uses a climate variability satellite-based method to determine climate zones according to the ASHRAE 90.1 2010 Standard. The research identified five zones that should be considered: 1A (very hot humid), 2A (hot humid), 3A (warm humid), 3C (warm marine), and 4A (mixed humid). This was achieved by conducting a statistical analysis of climate variability from 1980 to 2022, using temperature satellite data from GLDAS-2.0 and GLDAS-2.1. The study demonstrated that satellite data is a reliable source of meteorological information for implementing the Standard in building design and for the energy modeling process. It also revealed climate variability across Guatemala, with only half of the territory experiencing significant changes that affect energy demand, and that the effects of the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) phenomena do not lead to significant changes.