Optimizing the insulation thickness of external wall by a novel 3E (energy, environmental, economic) method

One of the main challenges in the building industry is determining the thickness and material of insulations that are used in the external wall. The selection of the above-mentioned parameters depends upon various aspects, including energy, environment, and economy. In many cases, the analysis which is carried out based on each of these aspects leads to different results. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis was carried out based on energy, environment, and economy criteria where the energy, environment, and economic costs of producing insulations are also taken into account. Accordingly, material and optimum thickness of insulation for the external wall of an office building were determined. The results showed that Polyurethane with the thickness of 8 cm, EPS with the thickness of 20 cm, and Rockwool with the thickness of 7 cm were optimum states with regard to the aspects of energy, environment, and economy respectively. Finally, a novel function, which considered all three parameters simultaneously, was defined. Consequently, 3E (energy, environmental, and economic) analysis was carried out and led to the presentation of the Mineral wool insulation with the thickness of 11 cm as the optimum state of investigated cases according to the 3E criterion. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.