The Bioclimatic Zoning of Brazil is part of the Standard NBR 15220-3ª, in force since 2005. It consists in the division of the Brazilian territory into 8 climatic zones. For each zone, it recommends specific building design guidelines for passive thermal conditioning for low-cost housing. This paper examines the Brazilian Bioclimatic Zoning regarding the suitability of its design guidelines for the cities of the semi-arid region of the state of Alagoas. Computer simulations were performed to compare the thermal performance of a case-study building, located in the city of Maceió (hot-humid) with the performance of the same building located in Pão de Açúcar (semi-arid). The building was modeled according to the design guidelines of the NBR 15220-3 concerning the recommendations for zone 7 and zone 8. An analysis of the climate characteristics of the town of Pão de Açúcar demonstrates the existence of two different periods (8 months of drought and 4 months of rain), requiring different bioclimatic strategies. The study concluded that it is necessary to improve the criteria of classification of the cities in the semi-arid, as well as to establish sub-zones, covering the particularities of the region's climate.
Bioclimatic zoning; Energy efficiency; Brazilian tropical semi-arid
