Investigating the Impact of Insulation Thickness on Condensation Levels: A Case Study in Sivas, Türkiye
Abstract
This extensive research has resulted in the ingenious design of an intelligent composite wall, which incorporates internal and external thermal insulation to effectively deal with the cold climate conditions prevalent in Sivas, Türkiye. Outdoor temperatures in this region drop significantly at night, requiring effective thermal management solutions. The main focus of this research is to determine the minimum insulation thickness required to prevent surface condensation on the walls, which can cause potential problems. In particular, the study helps to identify the effect of thermal insulation on these variables through a series of elaborate and precise heat and mass transfer calculations, rigorously carried out over a range of different scenarios, including indoor and outdoor temperature conditions and variations in relative humidity. The results of such extensive analysis clearly show that the effectiveness and efficiency of thermal insulation becomes increasingly pronounced and evident as the indoor relative humidity exceeds the 70% threshold. In situations where the internal relative humidity is low, the need for increased insulation thickness approaches negligible or minimal levels. Significantly, the comprehensive analysis shows that when the outdoor relative humidity is increased significantly, from 50% to 80%, there is an inverse and measurable increase in the water vapour partial pressure in the external environment. An increase in the water vapour partial pressure results in a reduction in water vapour transmission and therefore reduces the possibility of condensation in that environment.
Ethical Statement
Since this study did not involve any studies on animals or humans, ethics committee approval was not obtained.
References
- Aelenei D, Henriques FM. 2008. Analysis of the condensation risk on exterior surface of building envelopes. Energy Build 40(10): 1866-1871.
- Anonymous. Air Barrier vs Vapor Barrier: How Do They Differ? URL: https://metalcon.com/blog/air-barrier-vs-vapor-barrier-how-do-they-differ/ (accessed date: May 2, 2025).
- Anonymous. n.d. What is EPS? URL: https://epslastro.com/en/what-is-eps/ (accessed date: May 2, 2025).
- Arslan O, Kose R. 2006. Thermoeconomic optimization of insulation thickness considering condensed vapor in buildings. Energy Build 38(12): 1400-1408.
- Bademlioğlu A, Kaynaklı Ö, Yamankaradeniz N. 2018. The effect of water vapor diffusion resistance factor of insulation materials for outer walls on condensation. Isı Bil Tek Derg, 38(2): 15-23.
- Bellia L, Minichiello F. 2003. A simple evaluator of building envelope moisture condensation according to a European standard. Build Environ 38(3): 457-468.
- Çağman S, Ünver Ü. 2023. Determination of condensation and its effect on insulation and wall envelope layers. Eur J Tech 13(2): 68-73.
- Cho W, Iwamoto S, Kato S. 2016. Condensation risk due to variations in airtightness and thermal insulation of an office building in warm and wet climate. Energies 9(11): 875.
- Gorzelanczyk T, Schabowicz K. 2014. Non-destructive testing of moisture in cellulose fiber-cement boards. In: Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing (ECNDT 2014), October 6-10, Prague, Czech Republic, p: 1-8.
- Gudayu A D, Getahun D E, Mekuriaw D M, Walelign FT, Ahmed,A S. 2025. Natural fiber reinforced cementitious composites; materials, compatibility issues and future perspectives. Compos Interfaces, 32(3): 363-397.
- Hatipoğlu C, Tosun E, Türkmen Ş, Atalay H, Ünver Ü. 2022. Examination of internal condensation in composite walls for different wall types. 7th International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies, 5-8 July, Bangkok, Thailand, pp: 1-6.
- Kan M. 2022. Comparison of different insulation materials with thermal conductivity coefficients based on density and temperature for two climate zones. Inter J Thermophys, 43(12):174.
- Kaynakli O, Bademlioglu AH, Ufat HT. 2018. Determination of optimum insulation thickness for different insulation applications considering condensation. Teh Vjesn 25: 32-42.
- Kon O, Caner İ. 2022. The effect of external wall insulation on mold and moisture on the buildings. Buildings 12(5): 1-21.
- Küçüktopcu E, Cemek B. 2021. Determination of hidden condensation on the exterior walls of the poultry farm using finite element method. J Agric Fac Gaziosmanpasa Univ 38(3): 132-136.
- Lstiburek J, W, Eng P. 2004. Understanding vapor barriers. ASHRAE J, 46: 40-51.
- Tronchin L, Fabbri K, Tommasino MC. 2023. A comparison of thermal insulation with interstitial condensation in different climate contexts in existing buildings in Europe. Energies 16(4): 1-15.
- Unal F. 2019. Condensation analysis of the insulation of walls in Mardin Province according to different locations. Eur J Tech 9(2): 253-262.
- Yamankaradeniz N. 2015. Minimization of thermal insulation thickness taking into account condensation on external walls. Adv Mech Eng 7(9): 1-11.
- You S, Li W, Ye T, Hu F, Zheng W. 2017. Study on moisture condensation on the interior surface of buildings in high humidity climate. Build Environ 125: 39-48.
Investigating the Impact of Insulation Thickness on Condensation Levels: A Case Study in Sivas, Türkiye
Abstract
This extensive research has resulted in the ingenious design of an intelligent composite wall, which incorporates internal and external thermal insulation to effectively deal with the cold climate conditions prevalent in Sivas, Türkiye. Outdoor temperatures in this region drop significantly at night, requiring effective thermal management solutions. The main focus of this research is to determine the minimum insulation thickness required to prevent surface condensation on the walls, which can cause potential problems. In particular, the study helps to identify the effect of thermal insulation on these variables through a series of elaborate and precise heat and mass transfer calculations, rigorously carried out over a range of different scenarios, including indoor and outdoor temperature conditions and variations in relative humidity. The results of such extensive analysis clearly show that the effectiveness and efficiency of thermal insulation becomes increasingly pronounced and evident as the indoor relative humidity exceeds the 70% threshold. In situations where the internal relative humidity is low, the need for increased insulation thickness approaches negligible or minimal levels. Significantly, the comprehensive analysis shows that when the outdoor relative humidity is increased significantly, from 50% to 80%, there is an inverse and measurable increase in the water vapour partial pressure in the external environment. An increase in the water vapour partial pressure results in a reduction in water vapour transmission and therefore reduces the possibility of condensation in that environment.
Ethical Statement
Since this study did not involve any studies on animals or humans, ethics committee approval was not obtained.
References
- Aelenei D, Henriques FM. 2008. Analysis of the condensation risk on exterior surface of building envelopes. Energy Build 40(10): 1866-1871.
- Anonymous. Air Barrier vs Vapor Barrier: How Do They Differ? URL: https://metalcon.com/blog/air-barrier-vs-vapor-barrier-how-do-they-differ/ (accessed date: May 2, 2025).
- Anonymous. n.d. What is EPS? URL: https://epslastro.com/en/what-is-eps/ (accessed date: May 2, 2025).
- Arslan O, Kose R. 2006. Thermoeconomic optimization of insulation thickness considering condensed vapor in buildings. Energy Build 38(12): 1400-1408.
- Bademlioğlu A, Kaynaklı Ö, Yamankaradeniz N. 2018. The effect of water vapor diffusion resistance factor of insulation materials for outer walls on condensation. Isı Bil Tek Derg, 38(2): 15-23.
- Bellia L, Minichiello F. 2003. A simple evaluator of building envelope moisture condensation according to a European standard. Build Environ 38(3): 457-468.
- Çağman S, Ünver Ü. 2023. Determination of condensation and its effect on insulation and wall envelope layers. Eur J Tech 13(2): 68-73.
- Cho W, Iwamoto S, Kato S. 2016. Condensation risk due to variations in airtightness and thermal insulation of an office building in warm and wet climate. Energies 9(11): 875.
- Gorzelanczyk T, Schabowicz K. 2014. Non-destructive testing of moisture in cellulose fiber-cement boards. In: Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing (ECNDT 2014), October 6-10, Prague, Czech Republic, p: 1-8.
- Gudayu A D, Getahun D E, Mekuriaw D M, Walelign FT, Ahmed,A S. 2025. Natural fiber reinforced cementitious composites; materials, compatibility issues and future perspectives. Compos Interfaces, 32(3): 363-397.
- Hatipoğlu C, Tosun E, Türkmen Ş, Atalay H, Ünver Ü. 2022. Examination of internal condensation in composite walls for different wall types. 7th International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies, 5-8 July, Bangkok, Thailand, pp: 1-6.
- Kan M. 2022. Comparison of different insulation materials with thermal conductivity coefficients based on density and temperature for two climate zones. Inter J Thermophys, 43(12):174.
- Kaynakli O, Bademlioglu AH, Ufat HT. 2018. Determination of optimum insulation thickness for different insulation applications considering condensation. Teh Vjesn 25: 32-42.
- Kon O, Caner İ. 2022. The effect of external wall insulation on mold and moisture on the buildings. Buildings 12(5): 1-21.
- Küçüktopcu E, Cemek B. 2021. Determination of hidden condensation on the exterior walls of the poultry farm using finite element method. J Agric Fac Gaziosmanpasa Univ 38(3): 132-136.
- Lstiburek J, W, Eng P. 2004. Understanding vapor barriers. ASHRAE J, 46: 40-51.
- Tronchin L, Fabbri K, Tommasino MC. 2023. A comparison of thermal insulation with interstitial condensation in different climate contexts in existing buildings in Europe. Energies 16(4): 1-15.
- Unal F. 2019. Condensation analysis of the insulation of walls in Mardin Province according to different locations. Eur J Tech 9(2): 253-262.
- Yamankaradeniz N. 2015. Minimization of thermal insulation thickness taking into account condensation on external walls. Adv Mech Eng 7(9): 1-11.
- You S, Li W, Ye T, Hu F, Zheng W. 2017. Study on moisture condensation on the interior surface of buildings in high humidity climate. Build Environ 125: 39-48.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Energy |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | May 15, 2025 |
| Submission Date | November 29, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | April 30, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 3 |
