Definition and Importance of Thermal Insulation
– Thermal insulation refers to the use of materials and design adaptations to slow the transfer of heat through a building’s enclosure.
– Insulation reduces heat loss or gain and decreases energy demands for heating and cooling.
– It contributes to thermal comfort and lowers energy consumption.
– Around 40% of energy consumption in buildings is attributed to heating or cooling.
– Thermal insulation ensures a healthy indoor environment and protects against structure damages.
Effectiveness and Evaluation of Insulation
– Reflective insulation is evaluated by the reflectivity (emittance) of the surface facing the heat source.
– Bulk insulation is evaluated by its R-value, which measures thermal resistance.
– The US standard for attic insulation is recommended to be at least R-38.
– The UK standard requires an average U value over the roof area of 0.11 to 0.18.
History and Development of Thermal Insulation
– Prehistoric humans used materials like animal skins, fur, reed, flax, and straw for insulation.
– Earth-sheltered houses, stone houses, and cave dwellings emerged for thermal benefits.
– In the 19th century, people started using processed organic materials and artificial thermal insulation materials.
– Materials like rock wool, fiberglass, foam glass, and hollow bricks were developed.
Government Incentives and Regulations
– Governments and utilities often offer incentives and regulations to encourage insulation efforts.
– Efficiency programs aim to reduce grid energy use and environmental impacts.
– Retrofitting buildings with insulation is a climate change mitigation tactic.
– Insulation is particularly important for buildings heated by oil, natural gas, or coal-based electricity.
– Inspections and certification of installers help maintain good insulation standards.
Building Insulation Requirements in Different Countries
– Thermal insulation requirements in the United States are specified by ASHRAE 90.1 and divided by climate zones.
– Russia has mandatory requirements on thermal insulation accompanied by voluntary provisions to address poor insulation and high CO2 emissions.
– Australia’s insulation requirements are based on climate zones and cover roofs, ceilings, external walls, and various building components.
– The Netherlands distinguishes between home renovation and newly built houses, with specific requirements for each.
– New Zealand has insulation requirements for different zones specified in the Building Code and standard NZS 4128:2009.
– The United Kingdom has insulation requirements specified in the Building regulations, with different technical content for each country within the UK. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_insulation
Building insulation is material used in a building (specifically the building envelope) to reduce the flow of thermal energy. While the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insulation (e.g. for vibrations caused by industrial applications). Often an insulation material will be chosen for its ability to perform several of these functions at once.
Insulation is an important economic and environmental investment for buildings. By installing insulation, buildings use less energy for heating and cooling and occupants experience less thermal variability. Retrofitting buildings with further insulation is an important climate change mitigation tactic, especially when buildings are heated by oil, natural gas, or coal-based electricity. Local and national governments and utilities often have a mix of incentives and regulations to encourage insulation efforts on new and renovated buildings as part of efficiency programs in order to reduce grid energy use and its related environmental impacts and infrastructure costs.
