Insulation restrictions

Background

In its energy concept for 2010, the federal government specified that the primary energy requirements for building heating and hot water had to be reduced by 80% by 2050. In order to achieve this objective, it is necessary to install high-quality insulation in the enveloping surfaces of all buildings. However, there is a variety of technical obstacles in existing buildings, as the insulation layers cannot be installed in the required dimension or cannot be applied at all, for example if there is a listed façade or a very low cellar. This dam restrictions in a largely unrestored buildings could still be neglected, their influence with progressive modernization is increasing. The amount of heat lost through insulation restrictions in the German building stock lost was previously unknown – as was its quantity in relation to the entire heating requirements.

Objective

The project partners conducted a survey among energy consultants and other parties involved in the construction industry to ascertain the frequency and severity of insulation restrictions in the building trade. In addition, a calculation model was created in order to record the insulation restrictions as a function of the component, and the building age and type, in which they occur. As a result of their extensive research, the project partners collected data which can be used to describe the individual restrictions. The model calculates the heat loss caused by the insulation restrictions. In addition to the current loss, the researchers also developed scenarios that show how the effect of insulation restriction might develop depending on the renovation rate and renovation depth until 2050.