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Sample of a 6mm vacuum insulated panel (VIP), which is
equivalent to approximately
80mm of glass fibre insulation |
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The challenging CO2 emission targets for buildings are driving development of new and improved insulation materials. This has generated interest in the transfer of vacuum insulation technology from the refrigeration and logistics sectors, where it is used in packaging, vehicles, and appliances such as freezers.
With a thermal conductivity around 7 to 8 times lower than glass wool and polystyrene, vacuum insulation panels in construction could greatly reduce the thickness of external walls, which must otherwise increase to accommodate ever greater amounts of conventional insulation. However, bringing the technology to the construction sector is not without its challenges, which will be among the topics explored at the 2009 International Vacuum Insulation Symposium, to be held at the Royal Institution on 17 and 18 September 2009. More details of this event are included elsewhere in this edition of Innovation and Research Focus.
An important milestone on the path to zero carbon will be the 2010 edition of Part L of the Building Regulations which, along with a requirement for higher standards of insulation and airtightness, will also take fuller account of thermal mass. This is in response to the greater influence of thermal mass on energy efficiency as we move towards very low energy design. It is also an issue that is reflected in changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Proposed changes to the Directive will require that thermal capacity provided by the building fabric is accounted for in national calculation methodologies, such as the SAP (standard assessment procedure) tool used in the UK to check Part L compliance of new dwellings. Alongside this, the Concrete Centre has published a short guide that introduces the subject of thermal mass, explaining what it is and how it can be used to enhance year-round thermal performance. Included in the guide are straightforward explanations of related topics such as admittance, decrement and passive solar design. This can be downloaded from the Concrete Centre website (www.concretecentre.com/publications).
For further information please contact Tom De Saulles at The Concrete Centre (t: 01276 608714; E-mail: info@concretecentre.com).
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