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The Impact of Residential Building Insulation Standards on Indoor Thermal Environments and Heat-Related Illness Risks During Heatwaves: A Case Study in Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Hee Jung Ham

    (Division of Architectural, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Sungsu Lee

    (School of Civil Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea)

  • Ho-Jeong Kim

    (Department of Architecture, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of building insulation standards on indoor thermal environments and the risk of heat-related illnesses during heatwaves in South Korea. Indoor temperatures were measured in residential buildings located in Chuncheon and Gwangju during the 2022 heatwave, with outdoor temperature data sourced from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Probability distribution fitting was used to estimate the likelihood of indoor temperatures exceeding the critical threshold of 27 °C. Additionally, a linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the probability of exceeding the threshold and heat-related illness data from 2017 to 2023 provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The findings reveal significant variations in indoor thermal conditions during heatwaves, influenced by factors such as building type, year of construction, and climate region, which affect the thermal insulation performance. Buildings with a lower thermal insulation performance were associated with higher indoor temperatures, increasing the likelihood of exceeding the critical threshold and contributing to a higher incidence of heat-related illnesses, particularly in provincial non-metropolitan areas. These results underscore the need for region-specific building insulation standards that address both winter energy efficiency and summer heatwave resilience. Enhancing thermal insulation in vulnerable regions could significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and improve public health resilience to extreme heat events.

Suggested Citation

  • Hee Jung Ham & Sungsu Lee & Ho-Jeong Kim, 2024. "The Impact of Residential Building Insulation Standards on Indoor Thermal Environments and Heat-Related Illness Risks During Heatwaves: A Case Study in Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-31, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:9831-:d:1518650
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Obrinsky & Caitlin Walter, 2016. "Energy Efficiency in Multifamily Rental Homes: An Analysis of Residential Energy Consumption Data," Journal of Sustainable Real Estate, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 2-19, November.
    2. Ming Hu & Kai Zhang & Quynh Camthi Nguyen & Tolga Tasdizen & Krupali Uplekar Krusche, 2022. "A Multistate Study on Housing Factors Influential to Heat-Related Illness in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, November.
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