Impact of the Degree Days of the Heating Period on Economically and Ecologically Optimal Thermal Insulation Thickness

Robert Dylewski,Janusz Adamczyk

doi:10.3390/en14010097

Abstract

The article proposes methods for determining the optimal thermal insulation thickness for economic and ecological reasons, depending on the number of degree days of the heating period. Life cycle assessment was used for the ecological analysis. Analyses were performed for selected variants typical of Polish conditions. The optimal thermal insulation thickness as well as the amount of economic and ecological benefits depends very much on the condition of the building without thermal insulation, but also on the heat source used and the thermal insulation material to be used. For each variant, the optimal thermal insulation thickness for ecological reasons is much greater than the optimal for economic reasons. Taking into consideration the climatic zone and the associated number of degree days of the heating period, the colder the zone, the greater the optimal insulation thickness, as well as economic and ecological benefits.

Highlights

Reducing the negative impact on the environment is a challenge for the world today
The analysis considered various: locations, thermal insulation materials and heat sources
Economic Analysis Taking into account the economic aspects, the economic net present value of the investment [14] can be determined in relation to 1 m2 of the wall area: NPV = −(Km · d + Kw) + SN · Kc · c · degree days (DD) · (U0 − λ / (d + λ / U0)) [PLN/m2], (1)

Summary

Introduction

Trying to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction sector is an important element of this challenge. These activities prove that the assumptions of the sustainable construction paradigm are implemented in practice. This is important because buildings and the construction sector are responsible for 45% of global CO2 emissions [1]. The intensity of CO2 emissions per square meter of building area is 0.38 tCO2e/(m2 year) during the construction of the building and 0.06 tCO2e/(m2 year) during the use phase of the building [2]. Cost-effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce the energy demand in the building sector [4]. The priorities for 2030 in the EU are as follows [5]:

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion