Innovative insulation materials are revolutionizing energy-efficient buildings and reducing building heating, cooling and energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. They are also helping to promote sustainable development and greener infrastructure.
Innovative insulation products minimize energy loss by lowering thermal transmission through walls and roofs, and are free from harmful chemicals. They also speed up the construction process, saving on labor costs.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is made of up to 85% recycled paper and treated with non-toxic borate compounds that help prevent mold growth, insects, fire, and provide superior thermal efficiency. It is more sustainable and eco-friendly than other insulation types such as fiberglass batts. Blown-in cellulose insulation can be used to add insulation to existing walls without removing drywall. It is also able to fit into the nooks and crannies of your home, making it an effective insulator for the entire structure.
When installed properly by a qualified contractor, cellulose insulation can provide an R-value of 3.2 to 3.7 per inch. This makes it one of the most energy efficient insulation options for homes. It is also highly effective at sealing air leaks and limiting convective air flow, which can lower your energy costs over time.
Loose-fill cellulose can be easily blown into wall cavities and can conform to the space around obstructions such as pipes and wires. It can also be applied to attics. The dense-pack variety is more suited for confined spaces such as behind walls and in attics.
The cellulose insulation process uses less energy than mineral fiber and foam plastic production, which reduces the amount of embodied energy that goes into the product. However, cellulose is still not as energy-efficient as other insulation materials such as polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.
Aerogel Insulation
Aerogel insulation, also known as “liquid glass,” is made from extremely light and soft silica gel. The material’s open, porous structure limits thermal conductivity and increases a product’s energy efficiency. It is a non-combustible, Class A fireproof material and can be produced in various shapes to suit different applications.
Because of its high thermal performance, aerogel insulation is an ideal choice for insulating commercial and residential buildings. It can be used in wall framing, around windows, and in other hard-to-insulate areas. It can save building owners thousands – or even millions – of dollars each year by conserving energy and reducing labor, replacement, and repair costs.
It is water repellent, which protects insulating and operating components from moisture damage and corrosion. Aerogel also maintains its shape in high-temperature settings and resists impacts, vibrations, frequent traffic, and other environmental conditions well. This durability allows it to have a longer service life than other types of insulation.
One example of innovative insulation for energy efficiency uses aerogel is Pyrogel. The product, developed by Aspen Aerogels in the US, is a high-performance blanket insulation for commercial and industrial steam pipes. It is said to be two to five times thinner than traditional insulation. As a result, it is more compact and can fit in tight spaces. It can even be used to encapsulate steam piping in buildings, which can reduce air conditioning usage and prevent condensation.
Polyisocyanurate
A closed-cell rigid foam insulation product, polyiso is a popular choice for energy-aware architects, builders and building owners. It’s also a preferred insulation for industrial applications including oil and gas pipelines, manufacturing facilities and food and beverage producers.
It can be produced on site using local raw materials, eliminating transport costs, storage needs and waste management. It’s also fully recyclable, which makes it a great option for green retrofits. Airium is made up of up to 95% air, making it a lightweight insulation solution for roofs, walls and floors of commercial buildings as well as residential new construction.
Polyiso foam insulation panels typically have a layer of aluminum foil on each side to help keep gases in and moisture out. The foil helps to address a common problem with wall assemblies where insulation doesn’t perform as expected when cold, causing moisture damage and reducing the life of the assembly.
The foil on each side of the insulation also provides a fire barrier and helps to meet the growing number of requirements for insulation to comply with evolving energy use regulations, especially those affecting industrial buildings. Hunter Panels’ polyiso products are made with low-GWP blowing agents and backed by a third-party verified long-term thermal performance and environmental product declaration. The insulation can be cut on a curve to fit directly over large-diameter pipe and tube connections in industrial applications.
Phase Change Materials
Buildings account for a significant share of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A growing emphasis on energy efficiency and climate change regulations has led to the development of innovative insulation materials capable of reducing this energy use. These materials are able to store thermal energy and release it on demand to regulate internal temperatures, much like rechargeable batteries perform the function of storing electrical energy to be used when needed.
The most advanced insulation materials for energy efficiency are phase change materials, a group of organic and inorganic substances that absorb large amounts of latent heat through the transition between solid and liquid states. They can be used to replace traditional air conditioning systems, reducing energy use and emissions. They are also ideal for insulating buildings and other structures to improve their thermal performance.
When a phase change material is exposed to temperature changes, it will melt to absorb the heat and resolidify when the environment cools. This process is very energy efficient, requiring only a small amount of additional energy to operate.
The most common types of PCMs include paraffins, salt hydrates and fatty acids and esters. Some are flammable, which limits their applications in buildings because of fire safety concerns. However, there are other non-flammable options that can be used as a replacement for traditional insulation, such as sugar alcohols. They offer a higher energy storage density than other materials and can operate within a very narrow temperature range.