Escape the Summer Heat with Insulation

Created By RISC | 6 months ago

Last modified date : 6 months ago

Even though it's only March, the weather is already blistering hot. You might be starting to wonder how we can survive April.​

The issue isn’t just air temperature. It’s also the cost of power, whether you use an electric fan, air conditioner, or refrigerator to cool down. But thermal insulation can make your home more livable.​

Thermal insulation uses materials that slow or prevent the flow of heat. These are often porous materials with limited thermal conductivity. The porous structure is packed with air bubbles that help minimize heat flow via conduction and convection. Some forms of insulation also reflect heat back. Thermal insulation is typically put under the roof, on the ceiling, between walls, or between doors and windows.​

Thermal insulation is extremely effective at reducing the transfer of heat from the outside into the house, particularly during the summer. When hot air enters the residence, it makes the air conditioner work harder. As a result, the amount of electrical energy consumed will also grow. Installing insulation will help to minimize the flow of hot air into the home. As a result, the temperature inside the house is not higher than outside. Furthermore, in foreign countries during the winter, it can restrict the passage of heat from inside the house to outside, allowing the temperature inside the room to be maintained and the house to remain warm.​

There are numerous types of insulation, including synthetic rubber, synthetic fibers, rock fibers, polymer foam, and aluminum foil. Choose insulation with a low thermal conductivity (K value) or a high thermal resistance (R value) to minimize heat flow into the residence. Importantly, select a material that is safe for human health, moisture, and mold resistant, flame retardant, or emits harmful compounds during combustion.​

The eco-friendly trend is currently popular. To achieve low or negative greenhouse gas emissions, people are using insulation made from natural materials such as cellulose, rice straw, hemp, oak wood, or fungi (mycelium). This is critical for selecting construction materials for transitioning to a low-carbon society.​

Story by: Supunnapang Raksawong, Materials Researcher in Sustainable Building Material, RISC ​

Reference
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation