Analysis of the Brazilian bioclimatic zoning: case study of Colatina, ES

Abstract The development of bioclimatic zones enables the design of strategies targeted specifically at the different areas where buildings are going to be constructed. The Brazilian Standard NBR 15220-03/2005 features the Brazilian Bioclimatic Zoning and Construction Guidelines For Low-Income Family Housing. However, since its publication, researchers have argued that the Brazilian Bioclimatic Zoning needs to be updated, especially regarding the climate accuracy of Brazilian cities. As this standard is the only climate classification in the country, its recommendations are applied to a wide variety of buildings, which highlights the need for a review. With the contribution of these researchers, several suggestions of updates to the current zoning have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to discuss different proposals for Brazilian bioclimatic zoning, both that of NBR 15220-3's and its review proposals, through their application in the region of Colatina, in the sate of Espírito Santo. The research method consisted in applying the Colatina climate database files to each methodology employed in the definitions of bioclimatic zoning. The results showed that the chosen method directly interferes in the climate classification of Colatina: depending on the method used, the area under study may be considered to be in the same zone as its neighbouring cities or in a different one.