Energy efficient building envelope in cold climate

Building envelope is the thermal barrier between the inside and the outside of the building. It has various components such as external walls, roofs, ceiling, windows and doors. It interacts with the three parts of the building; exterior, interior and the envelope itself.  Due to the wide range in the building materials, climate, standards and practice of building design and  construction it has complicated the analysis of the building envelop though the top and the primary priorities remains same.

The primary function of the building envelope is to provide comfortable indoor environment for the occupant. The other functions are security, fire protection, privacy and shelter from changing weather condition and also benefit such as aesthetic, ventilation and the view to the outdoors. It also improves the quality of life and reduces the health care cost if proper envelope is provided. The main priority beside its basic function is the energy conservation.

Building envelope  determines how much energy is required for cooling or heating. If air tight envelope is provided it reduces heat loss by 20 to 30 % (Technology road map; energy efficient building envelope, 2013). Energy loss depends on various factors such as age of the building, type, climate, construction technique, orientation, geographical condition and occupant behavior. If the wall is leaky and uninsulated it will result in high energy bill and will reduce the comfortness inside the house.   By reducing air leakage we can save 5 to 40 % of heating and cooling energy and tight structure built in cold climate can save energy up to 20 to 30 % (bnp media, 2015).


Building envelope can be made energy efficient by using insulation for ceiling, walls and roof. We can use double or triple glazed window or highly insulated window. We have to minimize the thermal bridges by providing insulation in those areas where thermal bridges are likely to occur. The doors have to be sealed periodically or carry out hard ware maintenance, frame and threshold repairs.
bnp media. (2015, 1 30). 

Retrieved from the official magazine for LEED professional: 
http://www.edcmag.com/articles/95183-energy-efficiency-starts-with-the-building-envelope
(2013). Technology road map; energy efficient building envelope. Paris cedax.

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