BUILDING INSULATION MATERIALS: BEYOND OPERATIONAL ENERGY

The use of thermal insulation materials to achieve energy efficient buildings is intended in most cases to meet the heating and cooling needs of the operational phase. By means of an exploratory methodology, namely literature review, this paper aims to identify more sustainable insulation materials and concomitantly present the paradoxical effect of other insulation materials with high Global Warming Potential (GWP). The role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Ecodesign and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) tools is highlighted for the design, comparison and selection of materials. As a main conclusion, the general lack of environmental information from producers, together with prices that do not internalize Life Cycle Costs (LCC), have led to the use of insulation materials with a high carbon footprint and the "insulation paradox".