Banzhaf, A: Impacts of 'Basic' Thermal Insulation in Residen

Despite harsh climate conditions, the majority of residential buildings in the extreme south of Chile lack suitable thermal insulation. Thus, energy consumption for space heating is high, and buildings are frequently characterized by uncomfortable and unhealthy indoor environments. Fuel wood plays a fundamental role as combustible for heating in southern Chile, and fuel wood extraction often causes or contributes to the degradation of local primary forests. Thus, there is a conflict between the protection of the diversity and integrity of Patagonian forest ecosystems and the use of wood as a locally available resource for space heating.The principal aim of this study is to analyze whether this conflict could be reduced with 'basic' thermal insulation in residential buildings on Navarino Island. The thesis contains two related parts: First, the testing of several hypotheses regarding the impact of 'basic' thermal insulation on the fuel wood demand of Navarino residential buildings. Second, a set of wider observations that contribute to additional related research questions. The key hypotheses argue that it is possible to identify profitable thermal insulation measures for Navarino Island residential buildings, and that with these 'basic' measures more than 30 % fuel wood savings can be achieved per building. If higher fuel wood demand reductions are to be reached, I hypothesize that considerable financial means are necessary.In order to test the hypotheses, indoor temperature and humidity measurements were conducted, and possible fuel wood savings and profitability of 'basic' thermal insulation measures are calculated. In addition, local inhabitant perceptions of thermal building quality and comfort and their willingness to invest into building retrofits are examined. To answer further research questions, this study is set into the context of the Environmental Kuznets Curve for deforestation, and discussed in relation to general considerations about energy