Conference article

Environmental problems caused by energy usage threaten the world. High CO₂ emission emitted into the atmosphere by combustion of fossil fuels cause global warming. As a result of combustion of fossil fuels used for heating buildings; air pollution occurs. Effective thermal protection in residential sector playsan important role towards the reduction of energy consumption for space heating. Insulation reduces fuel consumption; undesirable emissions from the burning of fossil fuels; and increases thermal comfort by minimizing heat losses from buildings. In this study; the four different cities of Turkey; Antalya; Istanbul; Eskisehir and Erzurum are selected to determine the optimum insulation thickness of the external wall of buildings. Optimum insulation thicknesses for two different energy sources (coal and natural gas) by using extruded polystyrene as an insulant are calculated and compared to each other. Annual savings in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions have been determined after optimization of insulation thickness. The result proved that when the optimum insulation thickness was used; the energy consumption and the emission of CO₂ decreased.

Environmental impact; Insulation thickness; Energy