Activated Carbon Panels from Agricultural Waste for Passive Thermal Comfort in High-Andean Housing

The study addresses the problem of thermal comfort in high-Andean housing in Peru, where extreme climatic conditions and the use of traditional materials with low insulation capacity create inadequate indoor environments that affect health and well-being. As a sustainable alternative, the feasibility of activated carbon panels made from broad bean shells—an abundant agricultural resource in the Mantaro Valley—was evaluated. The research followed an experimental approach, installing the panels in a housing module and recording temperature and humidity parameters with high-precision digital instruments across different time scales. The results show favorable thermal performance: indoor temperatures remained between 23.6 °C and 24.9 °C, with differences of up to 7.2 °C compared to the exterior, even 2.5 hours after sunset. Relative humidity stabilized within a range of 50.2% to 54.2%, creating a comfortable microclimate in contrast to external variations. These findings confirm that activated carbon acts as a passive regulator of heat and humidity, reducing nighttime heat loss and improving habitability without the need for active heating systems. In conclusion, activated carbon panels represent a technically viable, cost-effective, and low-impact environmental alternative. Their production from agricultural residues and integration through sustainable self-construction practices make it possible to mitigate energy poverty, reduce health risks associated with cold, and strengthen a resilient architectural model for high-Andean communities.