Are thermal breaks overlooked?
For a brighter future for the construction industry, the EU has established a legislation outline including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU and the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU. This is to help with:
- Achieving a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050
- Creating a stable environment for investment decisions
- Enabling consumers and businesses to make more informed choices to save energy and money
This means architects are taking energy efficiency into account more than ever to ensure structures created will stand the test of time and meet future regulations that come into play. Despite this, thermal breaks are frequently overlooked in construction projects.
Buildings that do not incorporate effective thermal breaks will suffer the consequences, particularly when it comes to energy loss. As heat is lost through structures that are poorly insulated, this affects the energy efficiency of the entire building, making the structure less economical. Using a thermal break can reduce energy loss by 80% for commercial properties, making massive savings on the running costs of these buildings.
Why does this happen?
One reason for this is the costs that investing in thermal breaks can add to a construction project. Adding insulation or other materials to create a thermal break requires additional labour and materials, which can increase the overall cost. Some builders may prioritise the upfront cost savings over long-term energy efficiency and choose not to incorporate thermal breaks despite thermal conductivity.
Another reason is that some building codes and regulations do not require thermal breaks in certain applications or regions. This can limit the use of thermal breaks in construction and lead to the use of more traditional, less energy-efficient building methods.
Additionally, there may be a lack of knowledge or awareness about the benefits and effectiveness of thermal breaks among some architects, builders, and property owners. As energy efficiency standards become more widely adopted and environmental concerns become more pressing, it is likely that the use of thermal breaks will become more common in construction.
Although energy efficiency improvements such as thermal breaks may add to the building costs, they pay back by lowering energy operating costs, which make them a worthwhile investment for any project.
In addition to the cost savings, there are other benefits to incorporating thermal breaks in buildings, such as improved indoor comfort and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing heat transfer and improving energy efficiency, thermal breaks can help to maintain more consistent indoor temperatures, reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling systems. This can help to create a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment for building occupants.
Overall, while there may be some upfront costs associated with incorporating thermal break materials into building design, the long-term benefits in terms of energy savings and improved indoor comfort make them a smart investment for building owners who are committed to sustainability and energy efficiency.
As architects continue to work with developers to create sustainable, energy efficient buildings, understanding the latest technologies available on the market, such as thermal breaks, has never been more important.
To find out more about thermal breaks and how Armatherm can help you with upcoming construction projects, get in touch with the team.
Contact Armatherm here.
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