Research results: insulation | loose ends
- Commissie Duurzaam
- 30 jan
- 4 minuten om te lezen
Bijgewerkt op: 9 feb
Table of contents of insulation
A couple of issues have not yet been addressed in the previous section:
possibly insufficient insulation of the district heating pipe on the roof;
insufficient insulation of the vertical riser pipes from the boiler room to the roof
possibly insufficient insulation of the ceilings of the bicycle sheds;
and the uninsulated expansion joint.
These topics were not investigated by the students. The insulation of the bicycle shed ceilings is always mentioned, but not the expansion joint.
1. Possibly insufficient insulation of the district heating pipes on the roof
The main district heating pipelines run outside on the roof and are approximately 125 meters long. This pipeline is likely installed in 2013.
The pipes are insulated, however the question is whether the heat output/loss can be calculated in the current situation and what the gain would be if the pipes were to be better insulated.
These questions were not addressed in the HU and Steeds studies.
Our own research shows that:
around 2013 for hot pipes in industry and district heating, CINI guidelines mainly recommend mineral wool (glass wool/rock wool), with thicknesses adjusted to temperature and diameter and often in one or two layers around the pipe (25–40 mm);
it was common practice for external pipes to finish the rock wool pipe sections with aluminium or steel sheeting, or sometimes with a plastic outer sheath, for protection against weather and moisture;
By current standards, heat loss is often considerable; therefore, additional insulation to approximately 60–100 mm in total would usually be cost-effective, especially with a long external pipe.
When asked about this, Perplexity indicated that the improved insulation of this outside pipe would be placed in the compartment where the roof insulation is also located.
2. Insufficient insulation of the vertical riser pipes from the boiler room to the roof
The vertical riser pipes (one supply and one return) for the hot water run vertically from the boiler room, through an unused space on the first floor, and then through the nine storage units in the bend of the building.
They are currently fitted with an insulation layer of mineral wool (stone wool) with a thickness of approximately 4 cm.
At the floor penetrations, no insulation has been applied. As a result, a significant amount of heat is absorbed by the concrete floors. This heat loss occurs throughout the entire year. The clearance between the pipe and the concrete floor is approximately 2 cm, which is too narrow to allow insulation with mineral wool.
This issue has not been addressed in the studies carried out by Hogeschool Utrecht (HU) and Steeds Advies.
Our own investigation indicates the following:
the thickness of the existing insulation is based on older insulation guidelines and is thinner than what is currently considered economically optimal;
the problem of the narrow pipe penetrations may be solvable by using Armaflex: a flexible, synthetic rubber insulation material that can be compressed by approximately 50–70% and then returns to its original thickness;
the insufficient insulation could be improved by adding an extra layer of mineral wool (20–30 mm) on top of the existing layer, while applying a flexible intermediate layer of Armaflex in the penetration zones;
this measure could reduce heat losses by approximately 25–35%.
When asked about this, Perplexity indicated that improving the insulation of these internal pipes, together with the insulation of the pipes on the roof, could be grouped under the same category as roof insulation.
3. Possibly insufficient insulation of the bicycle shed ceilings
The apartments above the bicycle shed already have lightly insulated floors. This floor can be further insulated by installing insulating ceiling panels in the bicycle sheds.
However, the existing piping and lighting fixtures will have to be relocated.
The costs are always estimated at €45,474 excluding VAT. It is unclear whether this provision qualifies for subsidy.
Despite the light insulation already mentioned, the thermal image indicates a poor connection of the insulation to the walls.
It should be investigated whether this problem can be solved by better insulation of the connection to the wall.
4. The uninsulated expansion joint
There is an uninsulated expansion joint vertically across the 10 residential floors between numbers 06-07.
A vertical expansion joint in a building like Kleiburg serves to absorb structural deformations caused by temperature fluctuations, shrinkage, deflection, or other stresses within the building components. The expansion joints prevent cracking and structural damage by allowing movement between components.
No insulation material has been applied to the expansion joint. House numbers 06 and 07 therefore experience radiating cold from the wall adjacent to the expansion joint.
This problem is not discussed in either the HU or Steeds reports.
Perplexity indicates that insulation can be applied, provided it is carried out with special expansion profiles or materials that do not hinder movement.
Should be investigated:
whether such a measure would be useful for Kleiburg;
or whether the solution should be sought in insulation on the inside of the apartments concerned.
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