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Optimal Thermal Insulation Thicknesses of External Walls Based on Economic and Ecological Heating Cost

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  • Robert Dylewski

    (Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Econometrics, University of Zielona Góra, ul. Licealna 9, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland)

Abstract

The present study introduces the concept of ecological cost of heating modeled on the economic cost of heating. A method of determining these costs is also proposed. This method allows for an analytical description of the ecological as well as economic net present value of a thermal insulation investment. Consequently, it is possible to determine the optimal values for ecological reasons of the heat transfer coefficient of the building external wall and the thickness of thermal insulation. The present study uses life-cycle assessment (LCA) analysis to determine the environmental impact of thermal insulation materials used to insulate the external vertical wall and to determine the environmental impact of thermal energy production in the energy phase of the building’s life cycle. Various variants characteristic of Polish conditions were studied. Different types of construction materials of the wall, types of heat sources, thermal insulation materials and climate zones occurring in Poland were considered. For all analysed variants, the obtained thermal insulation thickness, optimum for ecological reasons, was much larger than the optimum for economic reasons. Even at the thickness of thermal insulation optimum for economic reasons, the investment was profitable for ecological reasons, i.e., a reduction in environmental load was obtained as a result of the thermal insulation investment. On the basis of the conducted study, it can be concluded that it is preferable to use thermal insulation thicknesses larger than required by current regulations and larger than optimum for economic reasons. The ecological benefits of thermal insulation investments are then significantly greater, with not much smaller economic benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Dylewski, 2019. "Optimal Thermal Insulation Thicknesses of External Walls Based on Economic and Ecological Heating Cost," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:18:p:3415-:d:264170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hasan, Afif, 1999. "Optimizing insulation thickness for buildings using life cycle cost," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 115-124, June.
    2. Linlin Zhao & Zhansheng Liu & Jasper Mbachu, 2019. "Energy Management through Cost Forecasting for Residential Buildings in New Zealand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Samuel Domínguez & Juan J. Sendra & Angel L. León & Paula M. Esquivias, 2012. "Towards Energy Demand Reduction in Social Housing Buildings: Envelope System Optimization Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(7), pages 1-25, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Dylewski & Janusz Adamczyk, 2023. "Economic and Ecological Optimization of Thermal Insulation Depending on the Pre-Set Temperature in a Dwelling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Bożena Babiarz & Władysław Szymański, 2020. "Introduction to the Dynamics of Heat Transfer in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-28, December.
    3. Helena Monteiro & Fausto Freire & John E. Fernández, 2020. "Life-Cycle Assessment of Alternative Envelope Construction for a New House in South-Western Europe: Embodied and Operational Magnitude," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Valeria Annibaldi & Federica Cucchiella & Marianna Rotilio, 2020. "A Sustainable Solution for Energy Efficiency in Italian Climatic Contexts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Dariusz Bajno & Agnieszka Grzybowska & Łukasz Bednarz, 2021. "Old and Modern Wooden Buildings in the Context of Sustainable Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-31, September.
    6. Robert Dylewski & Janusz Adamczyk, 2021. "Optimum Thickness of Thermal Insulation with Both Economic and Ecological Costs of Heating and Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Kumar, Dileep & Alam, Morshed & Zou, Patrick X.W. & Sanjayan, Jay G. & Memon, Rizwan Ahmed, 2020. "Comparative analysis of building insulation material properties and performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Piotr Michalak & Krzysztof Szczotka & Jakub Szymiczek, 2021. "Energy Effectiveness or Economic Profitability? A Case Study of Thermal Modernization of a School Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, April.
    9. Baiba Gaujena & Vladislavs Agapovs & Anatolijs Borodinecs & Ksenia Strelets, 2020. "Analysis of Thermal Parameters of Hemp Fiber Insulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Yurou Tong & Hui Yang & Li Bao & Baoxia Guo & Yanzhuo Shi & Congcong Wang, 2022. "Analysis of Thermal Insulation Thickness for a Container House in the Yanqing Zone of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.
    11. Robert Dylewski & Janusz Adamczyk, 2020. "Impact of the Degree Days of the Heating Period on Economically and Ecologically Optimal Thermal Insulation Thickness," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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