As we work to deliver energy efficient buildings, one of the key challenges is ensuring new buildings meet performance expectations. In practice a “performance gap” can exist between the expected and actual energy performance and operational carbon emissions from buildings. This gap can be significant with research showing heating demand for new homes can be 100% - 150% than expected at the design stage.
In this article, we dig into the performance gap including:
The performance gap between the design and actual performance of buildings can occur for a range of reasons. Some of the most common relating to the insulation specification can include:
There are a range of solutions which can be deployed to address these potential issues.
If the insulation product within the original specification is unavailable, care should be taken to ensure the replacement provides an equivalent performance in key areas such as thermal and reaction to fire performance. Where this is not the case, building modelling should be updated to reflect this change. This will allow corrections to be made, for example, by fitting a greater thickness of insulation.
Where the available space is less than anticipated, problem solving solutions may be available to allow the required U-value to be met within the available depth.
For example, AlphaCore range products combine a Euroclass reaction to fire rating of A2-s1,d0 with a thermal conductivity of just 0.020 W/mK. This thermal conductivity is far lower than conventional façade insulation products with an equivalent reaction to fire rating. This can allow a project U-value to be met with a slimmer construction in problem areas where the available depth may be limited such as:
Our OPTIM-R range of vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) can also provide a slim solution for challenging applications such as existing solid floors or roof terraces where an even transition must be maintained between internal and external floor heights. The VIPs have a thermal conductivity of just 0.007 W/mK, far lower than conventional alternatives. This can allow the desired thermal performance to be met with a very slim insulation system thickness.
The OPTIM-R E Inverted Roofing System features encapsulated VIPs which support easy manual handling and allow the desired U-value to be met with a slimmer system thickness than conventional extruded polystyrene (XPS) alternatives.
To support best practice, and ease compliance, it is recommended to use designed details for insulation measures at key junctions where possible. These ensure that a clear process sequence is provided for the installation team to allow them to deliver a construction which effectively reduces heat losses.
We have developed a range of calculated details for our Kooltherm K8 Plus Cavity Board, supporting designers to achieve workable details with low levels of heat loss. Click here to download the psi-values and CAD details.
Effective oversight of installations is also essential to ensure that insulation measures are correctly installed with no gaps or defects. Product training and installation guides can be a useful resource provided by manufacturers, enabling installers to understand proper installation processes and how to deal with any challenges appropriately without compromising overall performance.
OPTIM-R E Inverted Roofing System
Optimum performance insulation solution for protected membrane flat roofsOPTIM-R Roofing System
Optimum performance flat roof insulation for where space is limitedOPTIM-R Flooring System
Optimum performance floor insulation for where space is limited
