The effect of cooling load on optimum insulation thickness in residential buildings

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to determine the optimum insulation thickness of residential buildings in Turkey, under the influence of cooling loads by life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and to specify the Degree Day (DG) regions that the cooling load should also be included in the calculations in the TS 825 “Heat Insulation Rules in Buildings” standard. A 5-storey apartment building with an Area/Volume ratio (A/V) of 0,40 m-1 is taken as a reference building. The annual energy requirements of the reference building for cooling loads are calculated according to TS EN ISO 13790 standard. Life-cycle cost analysis based on the total cost approach is performed for a period of 30 years. Optimum insulation thicknesses based on climate zones are calculated between 0 cm and 4 cm for wall, 0 cm and 7,5 cm for ceiling, 0 cm and 2,7 cm for floor. As a result, it has been determined that cooling load should be included in the optimum insulation thickness calculations in the DG1 and DG2 regions specified in the TS 825 standard. It is concluded that the cooling loads don't affect the optimum insulation thickness in DG3 and DG4 regions where the cooler climate is more effective than DG1 and DG2 regions.