The cooling/heating load calculation requires an accurate evaluation of the heat transfer through the
envelope components of the building. This depends mainly on the accuracy of the thermal resistance
of the different building envelope components, particularly the insulation materials. Indeed, the accuracy
of the thermal conductivity (k) of the insulation material, which describes the ability of heat to flow
across the material in the presence of a temperature gradient, has an important effect on the heat
exchange between the building interior and the ambiance. In practice, the k-value is calculated under
specific laboratory conditions at 24 C, according to relevant ASTM standards. In reality, however, the
thermal insulation materials comprising the building envelope are exposed to significant and continuous
temperature and moisture changes, due to the variations in the external conditions, including the outdoor
temperature, solar radiation, and air moisture content. In addition, the thermal resistance of most
thermal insulation materials depends on the operating temperature, the location of the insulation layer
within the assembly system, and the effective temperature. Indeed, empirical evidence shows that the
change in the polystyrene insulation thermal conductivity with temperature at the mid-thickness of
the insulation material during the daytime can be very significant. At high temperatures, in the order
of 100 C, commonly encountered in the roof insulations of buildings in hot climates such as Oman,
the percentage increase of k-values relative to k24 for wall and roof can be as high as 9.4% and 20%, respectively.
This change affects the cooling load calculation when operating at temperatures exceeding 24 C.
This article evaluates the effect of changes in the conductivity of polystyrene insulation material, as a
function of the operating temperature, on the cooling load calculation required by the building, and thus
the sizing of the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment.