The Efficiency of Night Insulation Using Aerogel Filled Polycarbonate Panels During the Heating Season

Abstract

Heat retention is important in achieving building energy efficiency during the heating season. Minimizing heat loss through a building’s glass envelope during the night is one means of heat retention. Movable insulation is one way to increase the insulation value of the building envelope and reduce heat loss towards the outdoors. This research examines the performance of aerogel filled polycarbonate movable panels in a building located on a Midwestern college campus in the USA. Onsite measurements were taken using air and surface temperature sensors to determine the effectiveness of the system. Computer simulations were run using Therm 7.2 to explore alternative design options. A cost analysis was also performed to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing movable insulation to reduce the heating bills during winter. Results showed that sealed movable insulation reduces heat loss through the glazing by 67.5%. Replacing aerogel with XPS panels reduces this percentage to 64.3%. However, it reduces the cost of the insulation material by 98%.