Thermal insulation versus overheating - Monitoring results

Abstract

Initial design decisions regarding building external envelope may have important consequences for thermal comfort and total energy demand not only for heating but also for cooling. Before reaching for more energy-intensive solutions, effective use of passive measures to avoid overheating is necessary. In the article, special attention was paid to the influence of external wall structure on space overheating. On the basis of monitoring results it was found that the standard thermal insulation prevented excessive energy conduction into the space on very hot days and it should not be considered as a barrier for heat dissipation. The standard opaque wall was also compared with the uncovered transparent insulation, which is in summer an intensive source of energy gains. The basic dynamic characteristics of the monitored wall were analytically analysed by means of the periodic waves method.