Impact of Wall Constructions on Energy Performance of Switchable Insulation Systems

Remy Carlier,Mohammad Dabbagh,Moncef Krarti

doi:10.3390/en13226068

Abstract

This paper evaluates the potential energy savings when switchable insulation systems (SIS) are applied to walls of residential buildings located in Belgium and other locations in Europe. The study considers two low-energy prototypical dwellings (an apartment and a detached house) that are representative of post-2010 constructions and renovations in Belgium. Using an 3R2C-based analysis tool, the performance of both dwellings is evaluated with static and dynamic wall insulation systems. First, the switchable insulating system is described along with its associated simple 2-step rule-based control strategy. Then the modeling strategy and simulation analysis tools are presented. In Belgium, it was found that SIS-integrated walls allow energy savings up to 3.7% for space heating and up to 98% for cooling. Moreover, it was found that to further reduce the energy consumption of SIS-integrated buildings in various European climates, thermal mass placement needs to be considered. By optimizing the placement and the parameters of the various wall layers, it is possible to increase the space heating savings by up to a factor of 4 and those of cooling by up to a factor of 2.5.

Highlights

In Belgium, the residential sector’s contribution to total energy use is estimated to be of 20.1%during 2017 [1]
The inversed trend is probably due to the lower thermal inertia of the apartment, which allows for faster heat transfer response due to any indoor-outdoor temperature variations, shorter periods are available for switchable insulation systems (SIS) to take advantage of free heating
The study outlined in this paper evaluated the benefits of using SIS-integrated walls for two prototypical low-energy dwellings in Belgium

Summary

Introduction

In Belgium, the residential sector’s contribution to total energy use is estimated to be of 20.1%during 2017 [1]. Heating energy represented on average 73.5% of the total residential energy use [1] This high value is due to the relatively cold climate of Belgium combined with the fact that a vast majority of the housing stock is made of single-family units instead of apartments [2]. Energy efficiency policies in Belgium regarding buildings are set by the regional governments (as opposed to the federal government), there are three different implementations of such policies [3]. As defined by the TABULA study, are a set of typical traits of recent well-insulated houses. These traits include minimum U-values for the building envelope components, and air infiltration rates [3]. The retrofit potential of the Belgian housing stock is significant; the savings in primary energy use can reach 38% of the initial consumption for a Energies 2020, 13, 6068; doi:10.3390/en13226068 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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