Analysis of the Impact of Insulation on Residential Building Energy Performance

Impact of Insulation on Residential Building Energy Performance

Abstract

In Pakistan, the domestic sector accounts for 45.9% of total energy consumption, ranking it among the top three energy-consuming sectors in the country Pakistan's residential sector consumes 45.9% of the country's energy resources each year, placing it among the top three consumers. Several studies have been conducted to assess the efficiency of incorporating various sustainability measures into existing buildings using simulation tools. The purpose of this study is to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of adding insulation in residential structures in Peshawar to reduce energy consumption for cooling and heating the building. These analyses are performed with the help of eQUEST software. The study found that proper insulation outstandingly decreases gain of heat in the summer season and loss of heat in the winter season. Loss of heat and gain are calculated for the insulation of different thicknesses to select the best one. An insulation of 75 mm thickness using R-value outstandingly decreased demands of cooling and heating. The insulation layer of thickness 75 mm is observed to decrease demand of cooling by 40.77% and demand of heating by 43.34%. Furthermore, it is observed that annually 204,189 PKR could be saved. The analyses of the investment and return showed that the breakeven point will be achieved in nine years.