Nicoleta IONAC’s research while affiliated with University of Bucharest and other places

This study examines the impact of new climatic normals (1991–2020 vs. 1961–1990) on bioclimatic indices in Oradea, Romania, highlighting the dynamic relationship between climatic variability and bioclimatic stress. The research focuses on three key indices: Effective-Equivalent Temperature (EET), Temperature-Humidity Index (THI), and Wind Chill Index (WCI), selected for their relevance in reflecting bioclimatic discomfort and risk. The results reveal a gradual increase in air temperatures (+0.91°C annually), with more pronounced warming during summer (+1.33°C to +1.64°C) and winter (+2.29°C in January). These changes influence bioclimatic perceptions, with THI-min values shifting from "cold" to "cool" in summer months and THI-max in August evolving from "warm" to "very warm." The study identifies significant trends: the frequency of extreme maximum bioclimatic values has increased, while extreme minimum values have decreased, reflecting intensified heat stress. While WCI and WCET show relative stability due to wind's moderating effect, their influence diminishes, leading to increased thermal stress. Future projections suggest that bioclimatic trends will continue to rise, with THI values potentially aligning with mean air temperatures by 2118, indicating a stronger bioclimatic impact of warming. This research emphasises the necessity of addressing these changes in regional planning and public health strategies. It also highlights the broader implications for other Romanian regions, where temperature increases are more significant, and stresses the importance of further studies to assess bioclimatic impacts nationwide.

The energy consumption has become a real concern in choosing the most cost- effective way and resources for indoor-heating. This experimental study tried to estimate both the energy amounts needed to heat up the residential indoor spaces and the resulting average costs that people living in the Bucharest Metropolitan Area might have to pay for heating during the winter months. The daily minimum air-temperatures, incoming solar radiation and wind- speed values provided by the Bucharest-Băneasa weather station were used to calculate the corresponding mean monthly values of an expressive compound index for December, January and February, over the 1980-2015 period. In this respect, the Cooling Energy Consumption (CEC) index has been calculated. Then, its values were related to two different types of individual heating systems (CT): a conventional CT produced by Ariston (net efficiency of 93%) and a gaseous condensation CT produced by Viessmann (net efficiency of 108%). Finally, the results were multiplied by the actual unit cost of energy in Romania (1.3 lei/kWh), provided that the total monthly consumption of electricity per household keeps less than 300 kWh/month, so that some interesting and realistic estimates of heating expenditures could be obtained for either each or all winter months in Bucharest – Romania’s capital city. This method might be useful both to local authorities and inhabitants to estimate and plan in advance their public or domestic budget to more economically sustain their energy resources and expenditures.