# Energy Efficiency Policies to Face Buildings' Climate Change Effects in Paraguay
## 4 Review of Good Practices for Paraguay
### About Building Design
#### 4.2.1 Passive Measures and Efficient Appliances Effects
It was verified that indiscriminate use of air conditioning systems generally corresponds to bad orientation, the abuse of glazed surfaces and the use of inappropriate materials. Additionally, it was noted that facades with a west-facing orientation, without protection systems, generate an indoor accumulation of energy leading to overheating and consequently an increase in air conditioning needs [30]. In 2016, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [90] analysed the potential of EE in electricity consumption for the residential sector of Paraguay. The objective was to estimate the potential savings that could be reached reducing electricity consumption during the period 2014-2040 by simulating the application of EE measures in electricity use, such as lighting, mechanical cooling, food preservation and water heating. The methodology involved replacing the appliances traditionally used with more efficient ones, and the results showed that through the implementation of these measures, the total accumulated savings for the year 2040 could be 26%. Finally, the authors pointed out that the proposed measures could help in reducing the financial costs of both the electricity distribution company and the final consumers. [PERSON] [59] carried out research aiming to analyse the thermal performance of buildings located in the city of Asuncion, to identify the influential characteristics of the building on its energy consumption. Four buildings were studied, in which the characteristics of their envelope were analysed, such as shading systems, glazing areas, facade colour, building shape and the patterns of use and occupation. The results showed that the lack of use or misapplication of bioclimatic strategies represented the major cause of inadequate indoor temperatures detected in most of the buildings. The author expressed that there is low awareness regarding the rational use of energy in the studied buildings, due to a high waste of energy for space cooling through mechanical conditioning systems. In summary, considering the referred studies, the implementation of passive cooling systems regarding the climate of Paraguay as a case study, and the EE measures in general, have had satisfactory results and have shown the great potential of energy saving in the building sector. Other scientific studies have analysed worldwide the potential to reduce buildings' energy consumption in hot-humid climate zones. [PERSON] et al. [91] found that by replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps and using low-flow water fixtures, programmable thermostats, window films and reducing standby power loss can reduce energy use from 20% to 25% with payback periods of 2 years. [PERSON] et al. [92] demonstrated that the type, thickness, and position of the insulation materials affect the buildings' final energy consumption, besides affecting the indoor thermal conditions. A comprehensive review of the energy efficiency measures that can be implemented in buildings to improve their thermal performance and reduce their energy consumption is presented in [93], where the author also stressed that passive techniques are greatly effective in reducing buildings' cooling requirements but that the main barriers are the lack of knowledge and motivation of professionals and technicians. Apart from that, as in other countries of the world, most of Paraguay's building stock has not been designed to take advantage of natural resources or to face the current intensification of climatic factors, thus forcing users to use mechanical cooling systems [30]. Compared to other countries of the region, Paraguay is still a long way from the mandatory energy certification of buildings. Based on the Paraguay Energy Policy 2040, only in the year 2016, the country proposed a specific line of action aiming the certification and energy labelling of buildings, which will still require time to be achieved.