Effect of insulation location on dynamic heat-transfer characteristics of building external walls and optimization of insulation thickness

Abstract In this study, the effect of insulation location on the heat transfer characteristics of building walls and optimization of insulation thickness are investigated numerically using an implicit finite difference method under steady periodic conditions. The investigation is carried out for a south-facing wall in the climatic conditions of Elazig, Turkey. For this purpose, insulation is placed at outside, inside and middle of the wall. Firstly, thermal characteristics such as cooling and heating transmission loads, time lag and decrement factor are determined for each insulation position. Then, the insulation thickness is optimized by using a cost analysis over a building lifetime of 20 years. Results show that insulation location has a significant effect on the yearly averaged time lag and decrement factor. However, yearly transmission loads and hence, optimum insulation thickness are not affected by insulation location. It is seen the maximum temperature swings and peak load in both summer and winter occur in the case that insulation is placed at middle of wall while wall with outside insulation gives the smallest fluctuation.

[1]  Meral Ozel,et al.  Thermal performance and optimum insulation thickness of building walls with different structure materials , 2011 .

[2]  Emin Kahya,et al.  Determination of optimum insulation thicknesses of the external walls and roof (ceiling) for Turkey's different degree-day regions , 2007 .

[3]  Kemal Çomaklı,et al.  Optimum insulation thickness of external walls for energy saving , 2003 .

[4]  O. Kaynakli,et al.  A study on residential heating energy requirement and optimum insulation thickness , 2008 .

[5]  Naouel Daouas,et al.  A study on optimum insulation thickness in walls and energy savings in Tunisian buildings based on analytical calculation of cooling and heating transmission loads , 2011 .

[6]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Effect of masonry material and surface absorptivity on critical thermal mass in insulated building walls , 2013 .

[7]  Jan Kosny,et al.  Influence of insulation configuration on heating and cooling loads in a continuously used building , 2002 .

[8]  W. Beckman,et al.  Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes , 1985 .

[9]  Dimitrios Bikas,et al.  The effect of south wall's outdoor absorption coefficient on time lag, decrement factor and temperature variations , 2007 .

[10]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Optimum insulation thickness for building walls in a hot-dry climate , 2002 .

[11]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Effect of thermal mass on performance of insulated building walls and the concept of energy savings potential , 2012 .

[12]  M. F. Zedan,et al.  Effect of Insulation Location on Initial Transient Thermal Response of Building Walls , 2001 .

[13]  Meral Özel,et al.  Investigation of the most suitable location of insulation applying on building roof from maximum load levelling point of view , 2007 .

[14]  Huseyin Kurt,et al.  The usage of air gap in the composite wall for energy saving and air pollution , 2011 .

[15]  Ali Bolatturk,et al.  Determination of optimum insulation thickness for building walls with respect to various fuels and climate zones in Turkey , 2006 .

[16]  Sami A. Al-Sanea.  Thermal performance of building roof elements , 2002 .

[17]  Meral Özel,et al.  Optimum location and distribution of insulation layers on building walls with various orientations , 2007 .

[18]  Dennis L. Loveday,et al.  The influence on building thermal behavior of the insulation/masonry distribution in a three-layered construction , 1997 .

[19]  Naouel Daouas,et al.  Analytical periodic solution for the study of thermal performance and optimum insulation thickness of building walls in Tunisia , 2010 .

[20]  Ö. Altan Dombaycı,et al.  Optimization of insulation thickness for external walls using different energy-sources , 2004 .

[21]  Meral Ozel,et al.  The influence of exterior surface solar absorptivity on thermal characteristics and optimum insulation thickness , 2012 .

[22]  Omer Kaynakli,et al.  A review of the economical and optimum thermal insulation thickness for building applications , 2012 .

[23]  H. Asan,et al.  Investigation of wall's optimum insulation position from maximum time lag and minimum decrement factor point of view , 2000 .

[24]  Meral Ozel,et al.  Effect of wall orientation on the optimum insulation thickness by using a dynamic method , 2011 .

[25]  Emad Al-Regib,et al.  Transient heat transfer through insulated walls , 1995 .

[26]  Meral Ozel,et al.  Determination of optimum insulation thickness based on cooling transmission load for building walls in a hot climate , 2013 .

[27]  Karolos-Nikolaos Kontoleon,et al.  The influence of wall orientation and exterior surface solar absorptivity on time lag and decrement factor in the Greek region , 2008 .

[28]  Liwei Tian,et al.  A study on optimum insulation thicknesses of external walls in hot summer and cold winter zone of China , 2009 .

[29]  Milorad Bojić,et al.  Thermal insulation of cooled spaces in high rise residential buildings in Hong Kong , 2002 .

[30]  J. W. Ramsey,et al.  Thermal Environmental Engineering , 1970 .

[31]  Afif Hasan,et al.  Optimizing insulation thickness for buildings using life cycle cost , 1999 .

[32]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Effect of insulation location on thermal performance of building walls under steady periodic conditions , 2001 .

[33]  M. F. Zedan,et al.  Effect of electricity tariff on the optimum insulation-thickness in building walls as determined by a dynamic heat-transfer model , 2005 .

[34]  Meral Ozel,et al.  Cost analysis for optimum thicknesses and environmental impacts of different insulation materials , 2012 .

[35]  H. T. Ozkahraman,et al.  The use of tuff stone cladding in buildings for energy conservation , 2006 .

[36]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Heat Transfer Characteristics and Optimum Insulation Thickness for Cavity Walls , 2003 .

[37]  Ali Bolatturk,et al.  Optimum insulation thicknesses for building walls with respect to cooling and heating degree-hours in the warmest zone of Turkey , 2008 .

[38]  A. Omer.  Energy, environment and sustainable development , 2008 .

[39]  Lollini,et al.  Optimisation of opaque components of the building envelope. Energy, economic and environmental issues , 2006 .

[40]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Improving thermal performance of building walls by optimizing insulation layer distribution and thickness for same thermal mass , 2011 .