Air-conditioning cost savings, CO2 emission benefits and return on investment by using waste in porotherm bricks in hot-arid and warm-temperate climates

Abstract

Building energy consumption has dramatically increased globally during the last few decades. This energy is primarily utilized to keep air-conditioned buildings at a comfortable temperature. As the worldwide demand for energy increases, net-zero or green buildings will undoubtedly become more and more crucial to address challenges related to climate change. It is well-known in this regard that the use of thermal insulation materials inside the building can contribute with temperature management and thermal comfort by preventing heat transmission. The present study examines the thermo-economic aspects of porotherm blocks filled with discarded insulations. Six different types of insulation were therefore investigated, and each was inserted into the porotherm brick cavities, including plastic powder, tire powder, cloth powder, leather powder, rockwool, and coconut pith. The effects of these newly developed brick configurations on air-conditioning costs, carbon dioxide emissions and payback time are compared to those of conventional porotherm blocks and burnt clay bricks. Thermo-physical properties of the aforementioned insulating materials, as well as porotherm brick and burnt clay brick, were established by experimental analysis. The thermo-economic analysis was carried out based on the number of degree-hours of heating and cooling to determine the building's annual energy usage. The thermo-economic performance of insulation-stuffed porotherm bricks was evaluated in two locations in India with distinct climatic characteristics: (28.57° N 75.12° E) New Delhi (warm-temperate climate) and (28.00° N 73.30° E) Bikaner (hot-arid climate). The rockwool porotherm brick wall demonstrated the best results in terms of lower unsteady transmittance, greater air conditioning cost-savings, appropriate payback spans, and improved yearly carbon mitigation values of 0.29 W/m2K, 0.83 $/m2, 0.95 years, and 15.65 kg/kWh, respectively, in hot-dry climates.