Investigation of insulation materials used in structures according to energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is to make the same amount of work by using less energy without compromising the quality and quantity of products and our life. In other words, energy efficiency is reducing the energy consumption for unit service and product. The thermal insulation materials are used for increasing the heat resistance of structural members or reducing the amount of heat loss to the atmosphere from the structure. This insulation improvement is varied between 30-60 % due to the thickness of the insulation material and thermal conductivitiy coefficient of the insulation material. In this study XPS, EPS and Rock Wool used as insulation materials. An experimental setup is prepared in order to investigate the effect of energy efficiency of these materials. For this purpose, the external temperature of the experimental setup is adjusted at four different temperatures (-20, -15, -10 and -5 °C) with constant internal temperature and the electric energy consumption of the setup is measured at 4, 8, 16 and 24 hrs. time intervals. The test results are compared and evaluated due to the energy efficiency of the materials according to TS 825 code. In addition to these, the 24 hrs energy loss on the aerated concrete and brick walls covered by cement and gypsum plasters. Also the strength loss of the aerated concrete, brick and plaster are determined after -20 °C low temperature exposure. Consequently the best energy efficiency results of the specimens are obtained with EPS for the insulating materials and aerated concrete with cementitious plaster composite type wall. Key Words: Structures, Insulation materials, Energy efficiency, Thermal conductivity.