Volume 10,Issue 03

Assessing Environmental Sustainability and Ensuring Thermal Comfort in Tiny Houses

Authors

Ebru Kılıç Bakırhan, Merve Tuna Kayılı

Abstract
Natural disasters, economic challenges, and the pressures of modern living conditions, characterized by the need for speed and adaptability, have increasingly led to the pursuit of more compact living arrangements. In this context, tiny house (TH) structures have emerged as a significant trend. THs are recognized for their potential to contribute to environmental sustainability due to their reduced footprint, lower material and energy consumption, and minimal waste generation. However, a review of the literature reveals a scarcity of case studies on THs, and the topic’s significance is often underemphasized. This study examines seven TH buildings from different climate zones, analyzing their contributions to environmental sustainability across three primary dimensions: energy efficiency strategies, material selection, and thermal comfort. Additionally, a case study focused on thermal comfort was conducted. The findings indicate that on the coldest day of winter, the SIP system maintained an average indoor temperature that was 5.8% higher than the reference wooden system and demonstrated greater effectiveness with a 12.7% lower standard deviation in indoor temperatures compared to other alternatives. On the hottest summer day, the SIP system exhibited an 18.1% lower standard deviation in indoor temperatures relative to the other systems evaluated.

Keyword: Tiny house, Environmental sustainability, Thermal comfort, Thermal bridge, Insulation.

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