The effect of wind speed on the economical optimum insulation thickness for HVAC duct applications

This study deals with the investigation into optimum insulation thickness of HVAC ducts and the effect of wind speed on it for the city of Usak, Turkey. Optimum insulation thickness, energy savings over a lifetime of 10 years and payback periods are determined for the four different energy types as coal, fuel oil, LPG and natural gas and two different insulation materials as fiberglass and rockwool. By using the P-1-P-2 method, the value of the amount of the net energy savings is calculated. The results indicate that optimum insulation thicknesses vary between 12.85 and 23.91 cm, energy savings 79.36 and 98.45%, and payback periods 0.0053 and 0.0925 years depending on the type of fuel for fiberglass, whereas, optimum insulation thicknesses vary between 11.87 and 22.21 cm, energy savings 76.63 and 98.26%, and payback periods 0.0061 and 0.1115 years depending on the type of fuel for rockwool. Moreover, 7 ms(-1) wind speed for LPG is highest in energy saving but 0.2 ms(-1) wind speed for natural gas is lowest in energy saving. Finally, the application of insulation in high wind speeds is more advantageous. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.