‏ ‏Evaluating ‎‏ ‏Thermal Insulation Materials to Enhance Energy ‎Performance in Residential Buildings: A Comparative Study Using ‎Design Builder

Abstract

Good insulation is one of the most important issues to make buildings more energy-efficient and friendly to the environment. There are many different insulation materials, making it difficult to compare their efficiency, therefore this paper introduces a comparative study of some thermal insulation materials which are employed to enhance the energy efficiency of residential buildings in hot dry environments.  Design Builder program is used to illustrate heat transfer, energy demand, and comfort levels in different thermal insulation conditions. A group of insulation materials is selected to examine their efficiency, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane foam (PU), rock wool, and aerogel, depending on their thermal conductivity, thickness, and impact on the annual energy required for cooling a space. The results of the simulation point out that the selection of insulating material has a significant effect on energy efficiency. Aerogel used the least energy and achieved the greatest reduction in cooling load. Rock wool was the most cost-effective choice, but it was just average in terms of efficiency. The results of the simulation give architects and engineers vital information on how to choose the best insulation solutions for long-term energy management, and how to provide comfortable internal environment with low energy consumption.