Cost analysis for optimum thicknesses and environmental impacts of different insulation materials

Abstract In this study, the optimum thickness of thermal insulation used to reduce heat gain and losses in buildings is investigated under dynamic thermal conditions by using the climatic conditions of Elazig, Turkey. Numerical method based on an implicit finite difference procedure which has been previously validated is used to determine yearly cooling and heating transmission loads, yearly averaged time lag and decrement factor under steady periodic conditions. These loads are used as inputs to an economic model for the determination of the optimum insulation thickness. The optimum insulation thicknesses, energy savings and payback periods are calculated by using life-cycle cost analysis over lifetime of 20 years of the building. Results show that the optimum insulation thicknesses vary between 5.4 and 19.2 cm, energy savings vary between 86.26 and 146.05 $/m2, and payback periods vary between 3.56 and 8.85 years for different insulation materials. The environmental impacts of thermal insulation are also investigated. It is seen that by applying optimum insulation thickness in uninsulated wall, yearly fuel consumption and emissions are decreased by 68–89.5% depending on insulation materials.

[1]  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 .

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

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

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

[5]  Abdullah Yildiz,et al.  ECONOMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSES OF THERMAL INSULATION THICKNESS IN BUILDINGS , 2008 .

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

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

[8]  Teuku Meurah Indra Mahlia,et al.  Cost benefits analysis and emission reductions of optimum thickness and air gaps for selected insulation materials for building walls in Maldives , 2010 .

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

[10]  Ö. Altan Dombaycı,et al.  The environmental impact of optimum insulation thickness for external walls of buildings , 2007 .

[11]  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 .

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

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

[14]  Recep Yumrutaş,et al.  Comparison of experimental and theoretical results for the transient heat flow through multilayer walls and flat roofs , 2008 .

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

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

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

[18]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Energy and Environmental Impacts: Present and Future Perspectives , 1998 .

[19]  Janusz Adamczyk,et al.  Economic and environmental benefits of thermal insulation of building external walls , 2011 .

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

[21]  Kamil Kaygusuz,et al.  Environmental impacts of energy utilisation and renewable energy policies in Turkey , 2002 .

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

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

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

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

[26]  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 .

[27]  Kemal Çomaklı,et al.  Environmental impact of thermal insulation thickness in buildings , 2004 .

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