Optimum Insulation Thickness for Cooling Applications Using Combined Environmental and Economic Method

Abstract

Buildings cause to meanly one-third of carbon dioxide release and energy consumption. That is why, decreasing fuel consumption in building is the considerable aim for scientists and engineers. The easiest way of this is to insulate building walls. Insulation thickness optimization is conducted via a new method named as combined environmental and economic method (CEEM). Through this method, environmental costs are integrated in the fuel and insulation material costs. Environmental pollution cost of carbon dioxide, insulation materials and fuels are added to their cost, and total annual cost for the system is calculated and results are investigated according to insulation thickness. In this paper, insulation thickness optimization is researched for cooling applications. Results for the life cycle-integrated economic analysis and economic approach in terms of insulation thickness are presented.