The article deals with the study related to thermal insulation of building walls in Tehran through energy consumption reduction, aiming to contribute to sustainability of the urban environment. In Iran, more than 40% of total energy consumption is related to the construction and housing sector, so optimization of the building thermal performance has a high relevance.
Insulation materials are increasingly being used in Tehran; however, there is still a lack of a comprehensive quantitative framework embracing local materials and building typology. In this regard, the equivalent of ten different insulation configurations has been simulated for thermal performance using Design Builder software in order to study their respective effects on energy efficiency. Each configuration includes variations in insulation types and thicknesses.
The results highlight that insulation materials, including polyurethane, fiberglass board, and mineral wool, are excellent thermal performance enhancers, while the high level is normally achieved by growing the heat balance. Besides, finding the optimal range of insulation thickness-2-6 cm-provides practically the maximum energy economy.
This quantitative framework will help architects and designers make informed choices about appropriate wall insulation materials in Tehran's buildings. The novelty of the present research is that, for the first time, such a study will focus on the specific climatic condition of Tehran and its local construction practice. These findings have broader implications for further research and urban planning, since this laid framework may be applied to the multiple Iranian cities with diverse climate zones, hence guiding sustainable building designs throughout the nation.