Impact of Building's Thermal Insulation on Increasing Thermal Comfort and Reduction of Electricity Consumption

Abstract

Recently, the construction sector in Albania has been developing rapidly when it comes to the variety of construction materials and the most advanced techniques of the time. The challenge for engineers, architects, and builders consists of using and combining them as effectively as possible to ensure maximum comfort at the lowest possible cost. When designing a building, one should bear in mind that the success or failure of the project is based primarily on ensuring internal environmental comfort, as it has been proven that residents who live in an environment that contributes to a healthy and comfortable lifestyle are more satisfied and productive. Unfortunately, this fact is often overlooked, as it is easier to focus on the initial cost of a project rather than to determine the value of the improved health and productivity of the user as well as the reduction of the subsequent costs. Through measurements performed in different seasons and periods, it has been proven that the thermal insulation of a building significantly increases its thermal comfort. Additionally, statistical tables obtained from Electricity Distribution Operator prove that thermal insulation is associated with a significant reduction in electricity consumption, from 15 - 28%, mainly in peak periods. If the Urban Sector of Local Units were to find stimulators, motivating entities to consider the thermal insulation of new buildings, it would make a substantial difference in this regard. The thermal insulation of the existing dwellings' stock, which can be realized through the coordination of the Local Units and the Electricity Distribution Operator policies, would also significantly impact the increase of thermal comfort and the reduction of electricity consumption.

Received: 20 September 2022 / Accepted: 26 November 2022 / Published: 20 December 2022