Environmental Insulation Thickness

This report introduced the new concept of Environmental Insulation Thickness which is defined with reference to the total pollution created during manufacture and saved during the use of insulation. Briefly, the EIT is the thickness of insulation beyond which no further reduction in pollution can be achieved by the additional use of insulation. The idea and method of calculation is similar to that used in the calculation of economic insulation thickness in which the total cost curve shows a minimum at the most economic thickness of insulation. Although the principles of the analyses are similar, the thicknesses which are given by the two approaches are very different because the Environmental insulation thicknesses are so high in comparison with those currently considered to be economic. It can be argued, however, that true costs should include environmental impacts. In this event, the two methods should approximate one to the other. The report shows the relationship between current insulation measures which are in use and points out that the Environmental Insulation Thickness represents the maximum potential for pollution saving through insulation irrespective of cost The report also demonstrates the opportunity we are afforded by insulation to mitigate the effects of our activity upon the environment