ABSTRACT

Thermal insulation is the set of insulating materials and construction

techniques whose installation reduces heat transmission between two
spaces (between the interior and exterior of a home, or between spaces
within the same home).
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS THERMAL INSULATION ?

 Insulation is defined as a material or combination of materials

which retard the flow of heat.

 The material can be adopted to any size, shape or surface

 A variety of finishes are used to protect the insulation from
mechanical and environmental damage,and to enhance appearance

 Heat flow is an inevitable consequence of contact between objects

of different temperature. Thermal insulation provides a region of
insulation in which thermal conduction is reduced, creating
a thermal break or thermal barrier,[1] or thermal radiation is
reflected rather than absorbed by the lower-temperature body.

 The insulating capability of a material is measured as the inverse

of thermal conductivity (k). Low thermal conductivity is
equivalent to high insulating capability (resistance value).
[2]
In thermal engineering, other important properties of insulating
materials are product density (ρ) and specific heat capacity (c).
 THE USES AND IMPACT OF RECYCLED
MATERIAL IN THERMAL INSULATION

Thermal insulation is used to reduce heat loss, helping to keep spaces

warmin winter and cool in summer.

It also helps reduce noise at both low and high frequencies which is helpful
for blocking out those unwanted noises.
Recycled materials can be used in a variety of thermal insulation products
including weather proofing insulation.

It can be applied as:

I. RECYCLED GAS INSULATION:

Recycled glass is often used in insulation products such as loose fill
and batt insulation. The glass is cleaned, crushed, and mixed with a
binder to create a high-performance insulation material.
.
II. RECYCLED PLASTIC INSULATION:
Plastic bottles and other plastic materials can be recycled and used in
insulation products such as foam insulation. The plastic is cleaned,
shredded, and processed to create a lightweight and durable insulation
material.
III. RECYCLED DENIM INSULATION:

Denim scraps from the textile industry can be recycled and used in
insulation products such as batts and loose fill. The denim is cleaned,
shredded, and mixed with a binder to create an insulation material that
is effective and sustainable.
The use of recycled materials in thermal insulation is important for
several reasons. Firstly, it helps minimise the environmental impact of
insulation products by reducing the need for original materials. This
not only protects natural resources but also reduces our carbon
footprint. Additionally, using recycled materials can also be more
cost-effective than using new materials, making it a more budget-
friendly option for homeowners and contractors.
Many recycled materials used in thermal insulation are just as effective
as traditional insulation materials, providing a comparable level of
thermal performance. This means that not only are you making a more
sustainable choice, but also a practical one.

BENEFITS OF THERMAL INSULATION

AIR COOLER:

Thermal insulation is one of the elements that works to complement

heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and
improve their effectivity in different ways, and it is essential in
building construction. Thermal insulation in buildings refers to
processes and installations that reduce heat transfer between the
outdoor and indoor spaces.
 In this article we will be discussing how insulation impacts our home,
both from the building construction point of view to the insulation of
air conditioning components and how it affects the system’s
effectiveness and efficiency.

Temperature Insulation at Home:

Usually, insulation is implemented during the construction of the
building. Although many older houses do not have insulation
incorporated or it is deficient for modern lifestyles. Luckily, insulation
can be installed or improved even after a building’s construction is
finished, both in older and newer homes.

 WHY IS INSULATION IMPORTANT IN HOMES

One of the main effects of insulation is improved thermal sensation, as

it prevents heat loss in winter and overheating in summer, resulting in
more comfortable temperatures indoors, and minimized temperature
changes throughout the day. However, insulation has many other
applications that make it one of the most important elements in homes.
For example, thanks to the reduction of abrupt temperature changes,
properly insulated homes will less likely have issues with condensation
and mold growth.
Other effects of insulation are unrelated to temperature, but still as
important. For example, insulation can act as a sound absorber, thus
reducing acoustic disturbances, such as noise from the traffic outside or
from neighbors. In some cases, insulation around electrical components
also decreases fire hazard and can provide fire protection.
 Insulation key locations throughout the home
There are certain areas in the home that are prone to heat gain in
summer and chilling temperatures in winter. By tackling the
insulation of these areas, we can benefit greatly from more even
temperatures and reduced heating and cooling consumption. Some
of these areas are: exterior walls, flooring over unconditioned
spaces (such as basements and garages), ceilings where mold can
appear, and attics.

 Attic insulation:
Homes that have attics present a challenge that needs special
attention when it comes to thermal insulation, as they have more
surface area from where temperature can transfer, and according to
the Department of Energy, up to 20% of savings in heating and
cooling can be expected by properly insulating attics and crawl
spaces. In occupied attics, it is important to insulate and waterproof
roofs, fixing any leakage, and to check uninsulated vents from
which heat can escape. Attics also may require thicker insulation,
as the weather impact is greater in this part of the home.
THERMAL INSULATION IN BUILDINGS:
The materials used in insulation for buildings can vary. Some common
and widely available materials are fiberglass, plastic fibers,
polyurethane and polystyrene, and natural fibers (such as cotton and
wool). The types of thermal insulation also differ from one another,
and some have specific applications, here are some common types of
insulation:

1. Blanket insulation:
A common type that is available in batts or
rolls of varied thickness, made out of flexible fibers, and installed
in unfinished walls. Its wide availability and variety make it
useful for different settings and applications.

2. Concentrate block insulation:

These are concrete blocks filled
with insulation material, they are a common choice in new
constructions, although they may be implemented in renovations.
3. Rigid foam insulation:
Rigid panels of foam are useful to
insulate walls, floors and roofs. They can be implemented in
existing homes, but must be covered with other materials to
fireproof and weatherproof them.
 4. Liquid foam insulation:
In existing homes that have hollow
walls (cavity walls), liquid foam can be injected or poured in
easily, even in very small cavities.

5. Rigid fiber insulation:

Commonly used to insulate air ducts, or any
other application that requires heat resistance, as they are usually
made with fiberglass.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY
SAVING

Thanks to thermal insulation applied on your building, you can use

the required energy more efficiently and effectively without
restricting the comfort of your life. Therefore, you minimize the
wasted energy, and use energy resources more efficiently.
Thermal insulation applications that provide energy efficiency can be
considered an additional cost in terms of initial investments of
projects. However, significant economic achievements are derived
when the rate of return is calculated.
When applied correctly, thermal insulation reduces the energy
expenses of your building by 50% on average, ensures more heating
with less energy consumption in winter, and prevents excessive heat
in your living spaces in summer.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH THERMAL
INSULATION
Meeting a significant portion of the world’s energy requirement and
having limited resources, fossil fuels such as petroleum and natural
gas are rapidly consumed away today. In the world where the
resources are gradually diminishing although the energy
requirement is continuously increasing, a wide range of programs
are applied to ensure efficient use of energy. Thermal insulation
comes to the forefront as one of the most successful tools for
energy saving.

In our country that experiences all four seasons thanks to its

geographical location, energy consumption for heating in winter
and cooling in summer has been increasing day by day. While 70%
of the required energy is imported, 30-40% of this energy is
consumed in buildings. Several policies on energy efficiency have
been developed in our country for the purpose of ensuring energy
saving and efficiency, providing security of supply, reducing risks
of foreign dependence, protecting the environment and supporting
the struggle against climate change.

Together with “Regulation on Energy Performance in Buildings”

that was entered into force for energy efficiency in buildings, the
obligation of obtaining “Building Energy Performance Certificate”
was imposed for existing and new buildings on 1 January 2011.

50% of heat loss in buildings occurs in exterior walls, 20% in roofs,

20% in windows and doors, and 10% in basement and foundation
walls. The energy saving achieved by the thermal insulation in your
building reduces your heat and electricity expenses by 50%, and
ensures more efficient use of energy and natural resources.
STRONGER AND LONGER LASTING BUILDINGS:

Thermal insulation reduces heat movements and vapor

condensation. Therefore, it prevents humidity, mold, freezing,
deformation that may occur in the building and weakening of iron
parts due to corrosion; and helps preservation of the building. Your
building has an extended life and increased durability thanks to
thermal insulation, which also contributes to earthquake safety.

POSITIVE EFFECT AN HUMAN EARTH:

Homogeneous heat distribution between interior areas with correct

application of thermal insulation enhances the comfort in your
living spaces.

Moreover, thermal insulation outside the building contributes

positively to human health by preventing factors such as humidity,
mold, fungus, moisture, dust, noise and air pollution that may have
negative effects on human health.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGICAL

BALANCE:

Thermal insulation applications are systems that comply with

Turkish and European standards, and help protection of the
ecological balance. Minimum energy is used for heating, cooling
and climatization of thermal-insulated buildings; reducing the
consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. In
consequence, emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and other harmful greenhouse gases spreading into the
atmosphere is minimized, and the negative effect on the ecological
balance is reduced.
When you apply thermal insulation in your building in accordance
with standards and use the correctly selected fuel type with an
appropriate technique, you utilize the whole energy consumption
for heating or cooling purposes. Therefore, you can minimize the
effect of the fuel on environmental pollution without wasting
energy.

THERMAL INSULATION AGAINST GLOBAL

WARMING:

“Greenhouse effect” is a natural process, by which the earth is

heated more than expected due to the fact that the gases in the
atmosphere transmit incident solar rays but much less of the long
wave terrestrial radiation emitted backwards. “Global warming” is
caused by the increase of temperature on the earth’s surface in
consequence of the greenhouse effect created by gases that are
emitted into the atmosphere by humans.

Global warming and global climate change occurring parallelly is

the leading problem that the earth has been encountering in recent
years, and threatens all living creatures on earth. The most
distinctive outcomes of climate change can be summarized as
gradual warming of the earth, melting of glaciers, increase in levels,
change of precipitation patterns, observation of significant increases
in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, and
changes that the ecological structure undergoes depending on all
these reasons.