From the ideal to the real in energy efficiency in social housing: the case of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Individuals living in areas exposed to meteorological phenomena, lacking infrastructure and essential services, will be mostly affected by the risks of climate change. The adoption of mitigation measures is urgent in the search to reduce the impact on future generations, and the housing sector is an affordable way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This would have an impact on the real estate market, so construction, urban planning and real estate valuation professionals should pay attention to the research on mitigation actions currently established in the energy transition process. This paper compares the energy use between the social housing with energy efficiency for a warm-dry climate and the predominant housing in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora; in order to know the difference in their GHG emissions. The process consisted of 1) Defining a methodology to determine a baseline; 2) Determine a baseline for energy efficiency in the analyzed climate; 3) Select the predominant housing prototype in the study site; 4) Estimate the use of energy and the emissions released in both scenarios. Revealing that the predominant social housing releases a volume of emissions of about 40% higher than the housing that meets the energy efficiency parameters established in the actual codes and Mexican standards, therefore, could be a feasible way to reduce anthropogenic GHG emissions.