Determining optimum insulation thickness of a building wall using an environmental impact approach

Abstract

This study investigates optimum insulation thickness of a building wall in the city of Bilecik, Turkey. The optimum insulation thicknesses are determined using life cycle cost analyses and a novel method based on the environmental impact analysis. Two different insulation materials, rockwool and polystyrene, are considered in the analyses. In this regard, the fuel consumption, the CO2 emission, and the environmental impacts of the system related to energy loss are determined first. Next, within the life cycle cost (LCC) analysis, insulation cost, fuel cost, and the total cost are calculated. The results for the environmental impact of the system, the net environmental saving, the fuel consumption, the CO2 emission, and the total cost according to the insulation thickness are then given. The optimum insulation thicknesses calculated by environmental impact analysis and LCC analysis are compared. Finally, the main concluding remarks are listed while the recommendations are made.