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Parametric Investigation of Optimum Thermal Insulation Thickness for External Walls

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  • Omer Kaynakli

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Uludag, TR-16059, Bursa, Turkey)

Abstract

Numerous studies have estimated the optimum thickness of thermal insulation materials used in building walls for different climate conditions. The economic parameters (inflation rate, discount rate, lifetime and energy costs), the heating/cooling loads of the building, the wall structure and the properties of the insulation material all affect the optimum insulation thickness. This study focused on the investigation of these parameters that affect the optimum thermal insulation thickness for building walls. To determine the optimum thickness and payback period, an economic model based on life-cycle cost analysis was used. As a result, the optimum thermal insulation thickness increased with increasing the heating and cooling energy requirements, the lifetime of the building, the inflation rate, energy costs and thermal conductivity of insulation. However, the thickness decreased with increasing the discount rate, the insulation material cost, the total wall resistance, the coefficient of performance ( COP ) of the cooling system and the solar radiation incident on a wall. In addition, the effects of these parameters on the total life-cycle cost, payback periods and energy savings were also investigated.

Suggested Citation

  • Omer Kaynakli, 2011. "Parametric Investigation of Optimum Thermal Insulation Thickness for External Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 4(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:4:y:2011:i:6:p:913-927:d:12650
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Almalkawi, Areej T. & Soroushian, Parviz & Shrestha, Som S., 2019. "Evaluation of the Energy-Efficiency of an Aerated Slurry-Infiltrated Mesh Building System with Biomass-Based Insulation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 797-806.
    3. Sevindir, M. Kemal & Demir, Hakan & Ağra, Özden & Atayılmaz, Ş. Özgür & Teke, İsmail, 2017. "Modelling the optimum distribution of insulation material," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 74-84.
    4. Krzysztof Grygierek & Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek & Anna Gumińska & Łukasz Baran & Magdalena Barwa & Kamila Czerw & Paulina Gowik & Klaudia Makselan & Klaudia Potyka & Agnes Psikuta, 2020. "Energy and Environmental Analysis of Single-Family Houses Located in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, May.
    5. Kaynakli, Omer, 2014. "Economic thermal insulation thickness for pipes and ducts: A review study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 184-194.
    6. Mehmet Kadri Akyüz & Önder Altuntaş & Mehmet Ziya Söğüt, 2017. "Economic and Environmental Optimization of an Airport Terminal Building’s Wall and Roof Insulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-18, October.

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