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efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation

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efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation [2022/12/02 08:04] – [Interior insulation: airtight and thermal bridge minimised] mmursiefficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation [2022/12/09 02:52] (current) – [See also] yaling.hsiao@passiv.de
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 ===== Preface: exterior insulation or interior insulation? ===== ===== Preface: exterior insulation or interior insulation? =====
  
-Improved thermal protection is a crucial prerequisite for a comfortable living environment, hygienic indoor space conditions and energy efficient operation of modern heating systems. In the Central European climate heat losses through exterior walls are actually the predominant losses in existing buildings (usually over 50%) - and they can be reduced by several times (by a factor of 3 if done properly) also by means of interior insulation. In Passipedia we have described why we prefer [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components:thermal_envelope|exterior insulation]] :?: whenever possible. However, we also realise that this is not always possible. In such cases, precedence should be given to insulation on the inside over inadequate insulation or no insulation at all - provided that the interior insulation measure is properly planned and implemented. The indoor climate will then be better with the interior insulation compared to no insulation - and this is true for each of the systems we have described here. The moisture balance of the exterior wall plays a significant role in this, this has been extensively investigated and resolved, see our publications on the topic of [[https://passipedia.de/planung/sanierung_mit_passivhaus_komponenten/loesungen_fuer_den_feuchteschutz#loesungen_fuer_den_feuchteschutz|moisture protection]]. Here, we will focus on how such solutions can be implemented in practice. The instructions provided here are naturally not a substitute for individual advice.+Improved thermal protection is a crucial prerequisite for a comfortable living environment, hygienic indoor space conditions and energy efficient operation of modern heating systems. In the Central European climate heat losses through exterior walls are actually the predominant losses in existing buildings (usually over 50%) - and they can be reduced by several times (by a factor of 3 if done properly) also by means of interior insulation. In Passipedia we have described why we prefer [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components:thermal_envelope|exterior insulation]]  whenever possible. However, we also realise that this is not always possible. In such cases, precedence should be given to insulation on the inside over inadequate insulation or no insulation at all - provided that the interior insulation measure is properly planned and implemented. The indoor climate will then be better with the interior insulation compared to no insulation - and this is true for each of the systems we have described here. The moisture balance of the exterior wall plays a significant role in this, this has been extensively investigated and resolved, see our publications on the topic of [[https://passipedia.de/planung/sanierung_mit_passivhaus_komponenten/loesungen_fuer_den_feuchteschutz#loesungen_fuer_den_feuchteschutz|moisture protection]]. Here, we will focus on how such solutions can be implemented in practice. The instructions provided here are naturally not a substitute for individual advice.
  
 ===== Interior insulation – done properly  ===== ===== Interior insulation – done properly  =====
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 The high amount of water vapour partial pressure which exists in the indoor air in winter can also cause moisture transport towards the (now cold) old wall structure behind interior insulation due also to water vapour diffusion ((Very little water vapour is actually transported here, with classic exterior walls this is about 5 g per m² per day at the most. For removing moisture out of the indoor space this does not play any role - just one person alone releases approximately 2.4 kg of water vapour into the indoor air each day. But: over the course of the year, a few grams may accumulate in an incorrectly built wall structure. This can happen especially if the water vapour gets into the wall structure easily but cannot leave it again so easily.)). There are two different concepts possible for avoiding moisture-related damage: The high amount of water vapour partial pressure which exists in the indoor air in winter can also cause moisture transport towards the (now cold) old wall structure behind interior insulation due also to water vapour diffusion ((Very little water vapour is actually transported here, with classic exterior walls this is about 5 g per m² per day at the most. For removing moisture out of the indoor space this does not play any role - just one person alone releases approximately 2.4 kg of water vapour into the indoor air each day. But: over the course of the year, a few grams may accumulate in an incorrectly built wall structure. This can happen especially if the water vapour gets into the wall structure easily but cannot leave it again so easily.)). There are two different concepts possible for avoiding moisture-related damage:
  
-**Solution I** is the "classic concept": water vapour diffusion from the inside towards the outside is stopped (vapour barrier) or at least impeded **(vapour retarder)** strongly enough to protect the cold construction from moisture exposure. This solution has proved successful for decades with thousands of implemented measures, sometimes even in very demanding conditions (e.g. in indoor swimming pools). Simulations have shown that with the normal utilisation of living spaces, a minimum value of more than 15 m should be complied with for the effective water vapour diffusion-equivalent thickness of sd,eff [AkkP 32]. With appropriate sheeting, this diffusion-equivalent thickness is stated in the product data sheet. How this is done in practice is described here: Interior insulation: [[https://passipedia.org/efficiency_now/building_envelope/interiorinsulation/vapourretarder|classic method using a vapour retarder.]]\\+**Solution I** is the "classic concept": water vapour diffusion from the inside towards the outside is stopped (vapour barrier) or at least impeded **(vapour retarder)** strongly enough to protect the cold construction from moisture exposure. This solution has proved successful for decades with thousands of implemented measures, sometimes even in very demanding conditions (e.g. in indoor swimming pools). Simulations have shown that with the normal utilisation of living spaces, a minimum value of more than 15 m should be complied with for the effective water vapour diffusion-equivalent thickness of sd,eff [AkkP 32]. With appropriate sheeting, this diffusion-equivalent thickness is stated in the product data sheet. How this is done in practice is described here: Interior insulation: [[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:vapourretarder|classic method using a vapour retarder.]] \\
  
 For **Solution II**, namely the **"use of capillary-active insulation materials"**, field applications have also been carried out successfully for some years with good results [AkkP 32]. Water vapour can diffuse through a diffusion-permeable (but airtight) build-up with a capillary-active insulation material. However, a capillary-active insulation material only absorbs some of the moisture and stores this in the pores. This sorbate is transported further into the material due to liquid water transport. According to the incline in the relative humidity, sorbate moisture transport in winter takes place in the inwards direction. However, it is precisely experts who, for  whatever reasons, warn against using "capillary-active insulation materials" as a universal remedy for the moisture load in exterior walls of existing buildings without remedying the cause of this moisture load, because return transport of the moisture (through surface diffusion) is limited. Details about this type of implementation can be found here: [[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:blow_in_interiorinsulation|Loose-fill interior insulation with capillary-active insulation material.]] For **Solution II**, namely the **"use of capillary-active insulation materials"**, field applications have also been carried out successfully for some years with good results [AkkP 32]. Water vapour can diffuse through a diffusion-permeable (but airtight) build-up with a capillary-active insulation material. However, a capillary-active insulation material only absorbs some of the moisture and stores this in the pores. This sorbate is transported further into the material due to liquid water transport. According to the incline in the relative humidity, sorbate moisture transport in winter takes place in the inwards direction. However, it is precisely experts who, for  whatever reasons, warn against using "capillary-active insulation materials" as a universal remedy for the moisture load in exterior walls of existing buildings without remedying the cause of this moisture load, because return transport of the moisture (through surface diffusion) is limited. Details about this type of implementation can be found here: [[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:blow_in_interiorinsulation|Loose-fill interior insulation with capillary-active insulation material.]]
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 ===== See also ===== ===== See also =====
  
-[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:vapourretarder|Specifically: Interior insulation with a vapour retarder]] \\ +[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:vapourretarder|Interior insulation with a vapour retarder]] \\ 
  
-[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:blow_in_interiorinsulation|Specifically: Loose-fill insulation]] \\+[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:interiorinsulation:blow_in_interiorinsulation|Loose-fill insulation]] \\
  
-[[https://passipedia.de/baulich/waermeschutz_durch_innendaemmung/aussenbauteilen_mit_innendaemmung|Moisture transport process in exterior building assemblies with interior insulation ( German only)]] :?: ** there is unfinished English version https://passipedia.org/playground/moisture_transport_process_in_exterior_building_components_with_interior_insulation **\\+Back to overview of [[efficiency_now:building_envelope|Structural measures for saving energy]] \\
  
-**[[efficiency_now:building_envelope|"Back to overview of "Structural measures for saving energy]]** \\+[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:exteriorinsulation|Exterior insulation measures for exterior walls]]
  
-[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:exteriorinsulation|Alternatively: Exterior insulation measures for exterior walls]] :?: here is an complete version (https://passipedia.org/playground/thermal_protection_using_exterior_insulation) \\+[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:exteriorinsulation:blown-in_insulation_material|Plaster base formwork for subsequent loose-fill insulation]] \\
  
-[[https://passipedia.de/baulich/vorgehaengte_hinterlueftete_fassade|Alternatively: Thermal protection using a thermal bypass rainscreen façade (German only)]] \\ +General information on [[planning:thermal_protection|thermal protection of buildings]] \\
- +
-[[efficiency_now:building_envelope:exteriorinsulation:blown-in_insulation_material|Alternatively: Plaster base formwork for subsequent loose-fill insulation]] \\ +
- +
-[[https://passipedia.de/baulich/waermeschutz_durch_kerndaemmung|Insulating the air space in a cavity wall (German only)]] \\ +
- +
-[[planning:thermal_protection|General information on thermal protection of buildings]] \\+
  
 ===== Reference literature ===== ===== Reference literature =====
efficiency_now/building_envelope/interiorinsulation.1669964664.txt.gz · Last modified: by mmursi