Evaluating carbon payback time by optimizing insulation materials for different orientations: A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment

Abstract

The European Union aims to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 80–95% compared to 1990 levels by 2050. Therefore the life cycle concept has gained widespread acceptance as a model for evaluating the environmental impact of goods and services. In this study, the optimal thickness of various insulation materials for external walls, roofs, and floors using a Mediterranean climate zone's hot summers and mild winters for a hypothetical residential building for four cardinal orientations was determined. The criteria for determining the optimum thickness represent a turning point in terms of cooling energy consumption (electricity). The optimum thickness of nine different types of insulation materials was defined using the aforementioned approach. These materials included aerogel, polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, phenolic foam, cellulose fiber (cellulose), mineral wool, and glass wool (GW). The purpose of this paper is to calculate the carbon payback time (CPBT) using the cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment method by considering the global warming potential (GWP) of insulation materials at their optimum thickness. The CPBT is calculated as the ratio of the total building's GWP to the GWP of savings from cooling and heating (electricity and natural gas). The results indicated that when evaluating the average CPBT for four cardinal orientations (FCO), aerogel has the longest CPBT of 2.34 years, and GW has the shortest CPBT of just 0.09 years. Aside from cost payback time, the findings of this study provide a new perspective on selecting appropriate thermal insulation.