Performance evaluation and research of alternative thermal insulations based on sheep wool

Sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings are currently evaluated not only based upon thermal insulation thickness and heating demand, but also according to primary energy demand. CO2 reductions, and ecological properties of the building materials. These properties are essential for a holistic assessment. To meet the requirements which are increasing in rigor, the demand for ecological building materials is growing dramatically, particularly insulating materials from renewable resources. Ecological insulation materials have been available on the market for a long time; however, conventional materials are still predominantly used. Most builders are unsure whether the alternative materials meet the same performance requirements as conventional building materials and supporting scientific research and publications are difficult to find. In a joint project of the Brno University of Technology and Vienna University of Technology, the thermal insulation from sheep wool has been tested under various conditions. The building physics and acoustic properties were specifically tested which are important for durable and undamaged applications. The tests results show that the thermal insulation from sheep wool has comparable characteristics with mineral/rock wool, and in some applications even performs better. Additionally, in comparison to mineral wool, sheep wool is more ecological and has fewer damaging health aspects. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.