ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF IMPROVING THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING ENVELOPE STRUCTURES

Abstract

The article evaluates the economic efficiency of improving the thermal performance of building envelope structures in residential buildings through the application of modern thermal insulation materials. The study is motivated by the high level of energy consumption in the building sector, a significant share of which is associated with heat losses through external enclosing structures. Particular attention is paid to external walls, which are identified as the dominant component in the structure of heat losses. The research develops approach to the assessment of energy and economic efficiency of thermal modernization measures. The study integrates thermal engineering calculations with economic evaluation tools, including the analysis of annual energy savings, payback period, and life cycle cost (LCC). A quantitative assessment of heat losses before and after insulation is carried out, demonstrating the substantial impact of reducing the heat transfer coefficient on overall energy performance. The results indicate that the use of modern insulation materials significantly increases the thermal resistance of envelope structures and leads to a considerable reduction in heat losses. Depending on the thickness of the insulation layer, energy consumption for heating can be reduced by 45-70%. For a typical residential building, annual energy savings may reach up to 17,000 kWh. At the same time, the study reveals the effect of diminishing marginal returns, as further increases in insulation thickness result in smaller increments of energy savings. A key contribution of the research is the determination of the optimal insulation thickness based on the minimization of total costs over the building life cycle. The analysis shows that, for the climatic conditions considered, the economically optimal insulation thickness ranges from 120 to 150 mm. The application of the LCC approach confirms that thermal modernization measures can reduce total life cycle costs by 25-30% compared to non-insulated buildings. The findings demonstrate that improving the thermal performance of building envelope structures is not only an effective energy-saving measure but also an economically justified solution. The proposed framework can be applied in the design of energy-efficient buildings and in the modernization of existing housing stock, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption, operational costs, and environmental impact.