Using Life-cycle Analysis to Assess Energy Savings Delivered by Building Insulation

• Main Authors: Gorshkov, Alexander, Vatin, Nikolai, Nemova, Darya, Shabaldin, Alexandr, Melnikova, Liubov, Kirill, Paramonov
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: building energy saving; efficiency indices; Energy efficiency; energy saving; EPD; external enclosure structures; external envelopes; heat conductivity; insulation coating; investment; ISO 14025; LCA; payback period
• ISSN: 1877-7058; 1877-7058
• DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.240

The present paper contains calculations of energy savings delivered through the use of mineral wool insulation throughout the life cycle. The calculation of energy savings in the production of the insulation material is based on ISO 14025 Principles and Procedure of Environmental Labels and Declarations. The calculation of energy savings in the process of building operation is based on comparing the heat energy losses through the external walls of a model Moscow apartment building before and after façade insulation. The insulation material used is 100-mm ISOVER's staple glass wool with synthetic binding agents. The insulation system type is hinged ventilated facade. The calculations yield a decrease in heat leakage through II-18/12 buildings’ external walls over heating period, achieved through façade insulation. Based on the calculated decrease in transmission loss, we were able to evaluate the energy savings potentially achieved over the life cycle of the insulation. The energy used to produce a unit of insulation material was compared to the amount of energy saved throughout the life cycle.