2.1.2 Adding or increasing internal insulation in walls
Description
The internal insulation system is based on the placement of thermal insulation in the internal layers of facades and party walls to coat after with a new internal finish, usually of plasterboard panel, or cladding finish of hollow brick. This system leaves out of the envelope the thermal mass of the wall, and therefore it allows a rapid warming of the habitable areas. In return the closures will not radiate the stored heat during the day to the inside.
Benefits
Ease and speed of execution without the need of install auxiliary means
Suitable for buildings that need heating with an intermittent use
The outside finish is not conditioned
This system is a good choice where there is impossibility of acting from outside or where the building façades are classified or protected
Limitations
Risk of condensation. It can be necessary a vapour barrier, especially in humid areas
Lost useful surface
Costly treatment of thermal bridges
Do not use in areas of the building with humidity pathologies
Economic assessment
Between 17 and 39 €/m2 depending of the installation method (plasterboard panel or hollow brick internal finish)
References and best practices
Interior insulation retrofit of a historical brick wall using vacuum insulation panels – hygrothermal numerical simulations and laboratory investigations: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132314001103
Measure guideline – Internal insulation of masonry walls: www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/54163.pdf
CHARACTERIZATION
Environment or playable world:
Residential
Academic
Offices
All
Carried out by:
Public building users
Owners
Operators
All
Reduce consumption of:
Heating
Cooling
DHW
Lighting
Electric devices
Type of driver:
Physical environmental
Contextual
Psychological
Physiological
Social
Time framework:
- Short term
- Long term
Type of measure:
- Envelope
- HVAC
- DHW
- Lighting
- Electrical devices
- Other