Development and Performance Assessment of Prefabricated Insulation Elements for Deep Energy Renovation of Apartment Buildings

Peep Pihelo,Kalle Kuusk,Targo Kalamees

doi:10.3390/en13071709

Abstract

A need for the refurbishment and renewal of the existing building stock has been in focus for many decades, principally because of excessive global energy consumption and pollution. This paper presents a methodology and the results of analysis of choices of realizable sets of timber frame prefabricated insulation elements for major renovation of apartment buildings. Numerous combinations of elements with different characteristics were analyzed by applying measurements, interviews, and building performance simulation software, and thereupon their performance, installation eligibility, and concurrent cost levels were compared. Mineral wool board with a special wind barrier facing was found to be the best material as a wind barrier from the perspective of hygrothermal performance. An air and vapor barrier should have sufficient vapor permeability to allow dry-out of constructional moisture. It is possible to renovate apartment buildings to meet the nZEB energy performance requirements and their moisture safety can be guaranteed without paying high relative difference cost. Calculations showed that the global cost was lower for solutions with some mold growth risk. Great care is needed when decreasing costs without simultaneous hygrothermal analyses. The facade cladding was found to have the highest influence on the initial cost of the prefabricated insulation element.

Highlights

If the building materials and structural elements are nearing the end of their service life and the energy performance of the building needs to be improved, the owner of the building has to take measures required to ensure that the relevant criteria are met
The research task was to find among results obtained combinations that are most consistent with requirements of the nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) renovation, considering possible hygrothermal risks and costs
Our results showed that mold growth is avoidable and Mineral wool (MW) wind barrier board, wood fiberboard, or cement fiberboard are the preferred materials

Summary

Introduction

If the building materials and structural elements are nearing the end of their service life and the energy performance of the building needs to be improved, the owner of the building has to take measures required to ensure that the relevant criteria are met. Energy performance of building directive (EPBD) [3] requires all new buildings to be nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) as of the year 2020 and to renovate almost all buildings by the year 2050. Case studies have shown the viability of the nZEB renovation measures to improve the condition of residential building stock in Croatia [5], Spain [6,7], Poland [8], and the Mediterranean climate [9]. The outcomes show huge potential energy and economic savings and support deep energy renovation needs [10,11]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion