An Evaluation of the Linear Thermal Transmittance for the Internal Insulation versus the External Insulation in Apartment Housings

Abstract

In this study, thermal transmittance which is a parameter to measure the thermal performance was evaluated for an internal insulation versus an external insulation. Then the ISO regulation was applied to evaluate it, and the superiority of an external insulation was verified by the thermal transmittance values. The three zones of apartment housing were selected to evaluate the performance. (1) The junction of an outer wall and a protruded slab : If there is no a thermal bridge protection system, then the values are about same in the two insulation systems, so the protection system should certainly be installed. If it is installed, then the value for the external insulation is 2 times lower than internal system. (2) The junction of a side wall and a flat slab: The value is 0.509W/mK for the internal insulation and about zero for the external insulation. (3) The junction of an outer wall and a division wall: The value is 0.451W/mK for the internal insulation and also about zero for the external insulation. A domestic regulation that could evaluate a thermal transmittance has to be established by applying the ISO regulation for the evaluation of external insulation systems in apartment housing in the future. Additionally, the government must decide which length should be used for the national standard.