Model integrated of life-cycle costing and dynamic thermal simulation (MILD) to evaluate roof insulation materials for existing livestock buildings

Abstract This work develops a thermal simulation model integrated in a life-cycle costing approach aimed at identifying the best choice of insulating material to retrofit the roofs of existing livestock buildings. The developed model integrates the results of the dynamic simulation with cradle-to-grave costs of the materials, by including the typical elements of life-cycle assessment. In this paper, eight insulating materials have been tested to analyse building microclimate responses, sustainability of the intervention and expedience of the investment. The model is applied to the case study of an extensive sheep farm of the Italian Apennines. The results suggest that all of the insulating materials work well for increasing the period of time that a temperature of comfort is maintained that does not exceed the critical value for animal welfare. By analysing their entire life cycle, the best materials are glass wool, sheep wool and hemp fibre, while the polyurethane, which has the best response in terms of temperature control, falls in last place because of its high primary energy input.

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