Thermal retrofitting of residential high-altitude buildings in Nepal
(2025) AEBM01 20251Division of Energy and Building Design
- Abstract
- This study addresses the thermal comfort challenges faced by high-altitude residential buildings in Nepal. A
field study was conducted in five houses located in the city of Marpha, where observations concerning building
materials and construction types were made alongside measurements of air leakage, indoor temperature, relative
humidity, and CO2 concentrations. Aimed at raising indoor temperatures, enhancing energy efficiency, and
reducing reliance on biobased fuels, simulations were performed to evaluate 14 passive renovation measures in
isolation against a Base Case. These measures were assessed based on two sets of prioritized objectives: the
primary goals of increasing indoor temperature and promoting heating energy savings, and... (More) - This study addresses the thermal comfort challenges faced by high-altitude residential buildings in Nepal. A
field study was conducted in five houses located in the city of Marpha, where observations concerning building
materials and construction types were made alongside measurements of air leakage, indoor temperature, relative
humidity, and CO2 concentrations. Aimed at raising indoor temperatures, enhancing energy efficiency, and
reducing reliance on biobased fuels, simulations were performed to evaluate 14 passive renovation measures in
isolation against a Base Case. These measures were assessed based on two sets of prioritized objectives: the
primary goals of increasing indoor temperature and promoting heating energy savings, and the secondary goals
of ensuring moisture safety, minimizing costs, and maintaining compatibility with the vernacular architecture.
After conducting a weighted ranking of the measures against all objectives, three emerged as the most favorable
options: the installation of wool insulation on the walls; implementation of a lightweight clay wall insulation and
hemp roof insulation; and stone wool insulation applied to both the wall and the roof. The application of these
measures resulted in a significant improvement in indoor temperatures and energy efficiency, thereby enhancing
the living conditions for the residents. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- Improving Nepalese Mountainous Homes: Better living conditions through building renovations.
Imagine living in a house with indoor temperatures below 0˚C and the only way to heat your home is by starting an open fire inside. Would you prioritize being warm and breathing in the smoke or being cold? This is the reality millions of Nepalese people experience every year. This research aims to improve indoor temperatures, reduce dependence on wood burning for heating, and reduce energy use by suggesting renovation measures that are locally adapted, cost-effective, and moisture safe.
In Nepal’s high-altitude regions, traditional stone and mud homes offer little protection from the cold, with freezing indoor temperatures, as was the case during... (More) - Improving Nepalese Mountainous Homes: Better living conditions through building renovations.
Imagine living in a house with indoor temperatures below 0˚C and the only way to heat your home is by starting an open fire inside. Would you prioritize being warm and breathing in the smoke or being cold? This is the reality millions of Nepalese people experience every year. This research aims to improve indoor temperatures, reduce dependence on wood burning for heating, and reduce energy use by suggesting renovation measures that are locally adapted, cost-effective, and moisture safe.
In Nepal’s high-altitude regions, traditional stone and mud homes offer little protection from the cold, with freezing indoor temperatures, as was the case during this study in the village of Marpha. The residents typically burn wood in open fires or inefficient stoves to warm themselves up. However, this is not enough to keep the families warm, and it also leads to indoor air pollution through smoke buildup and increased rates of respiratory diseases. Additionally, deforestation is making firewood scarcer and more expensive in the region, and new moisture-related issues have been arising due to increasing rainfall levels because of climate change. Homes lack any kind of insulation, making matters worse, as heat cannot be kept in the houses. If you think these are conditions nobody should live under, then we are on the same page.
Reducing heat loss was the most important factor in achieving our goals. To do this, various passive measures applied in different building components were tested. Simply insulating a home without sealing air leaks had little effect, but the combination of adding insulation together with reducing infiltration had the best results, with average temperatures rising over 11°C in the coldest hour of the year, and the yearly heating bill dropping by 81%.
The fieldwork in Marpha included examining five homes and measuring temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, and air leakage. A digital model of a typical home was created, and 14 renovated versions were simulated. This research offers practical guidance for improving homes in Nepal’s mountain regions. Even small steps, like sealing gaps around windows, can make a big difference, laying the groundwork for more extensive, sustainable renovations. Even though limited information about the weather in Marpha added uncertainties, the study shows that improvements in thermal comfort and energy consumption are clearly within reach. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9202947
- author
- Bazzi, Andrea Mariana LU and Ehrhardt, Ina LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- AEBM01 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Thermal Comfort, Energy reduction, Indoor air quality, Nepal
- language
- English
- id
- 9202947
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-19 10:44:04
- date last changed
- 2025-06-19 10:44:04
@misc{9202947,
abstract = {{This study addresses the thermal comfort challenges faced by high-altitude residential buildings in Nepal. A
field study was conducted in five houses located in the city of Marpha, where observations concerning building
materials and construction types were made alongside measurements of air leakage, indoor temperature, relative
humidity, and CO2 concentrations. Aimed at raising indoor temperatures, enhancing energy efficiency, and
reducing reliance on biobased fuels, simulations were performed to evaluate 14 passive renovation measures in
isolation against a Base Case. These measures were assessed based on two sets of prioritized objectives: the
primary goals of increasing indoor temperature and promoting heating energy savings, and the secondary goals
of ensuring moisture safety, minimizing costs, and maintaining compatibility with the vernacular architecture.
After conducting a weighted ranking of the measures against all objectives, three emerged as the most favorable
options: the installation of wool insulation on the walls; implementation of a lightweight clay wall insulation and
hemp roof insulation; and stone wool insulation applied to both the wall and the roof. The application of these
measures resulted in a significant improvement in indoor temperatures and energy efficiency, thereby enhancing
the living conditions for the residents.}},
author = {{Bazzi, Andrea Mariana and Ehrhardt, Ina}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Thermal retrofitting of residential high-altitude buildings in Nepal}},
year = {{2025}},
}