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In this move we will create a new insulation type for the ground floor and then we will
modify the U-value of this floor.
We would like to change the expanded polystyrene foam Insulation type to extruded polystyrene
foam, so called XPS in the ground floor. We don’t have this type in our project, so
we need to create it.
Make sure the Energy Model Review Dialog is opened. Select the Ground Floor composite
in the Structure list. Notice the U-value of this item is 0,18 watts per square meter
Kelvin.
Let’s open the Options,… Elements Attributes,… Fill Types dialog. Choose the existing EPS
Insulation Fill type and click the New button.
Let’s choose the Duplicate radio button, enter XPS Insulation for the name and click
OK.
We will set the thermal properties of the newly created fill type.
For this let’s click the Material catalog button. Select and expand the “Thermal Insulation-Plastic
Foam” main category and choose the “XPS” type.
Notice the Thermal Conductivity of this insulation is 0,032 instead of the EPS 0,040 watts per
meter Kelvin.
Let’s change the pattern of the fill a bit. Switch to the edit Symbol Pattern panel and
enter 2 for the vertical scale factor and then click OK to accept the changes.
We will change the fill type in the composite now.
Let’s open the Options,… Elements Attributes,… Composites.
Choose the “Ground floor” from the pop-up and select the EPS Insulation skin layer.
Change it for the newly created XPS type and click OK.
Let’s switch to the Structure list and notice the U-value has changed to 0,15. The modified
ground floor has a better U-value, because the XPS has a better Thermal conductivity,
than EPS.
We can reduce the thickness of the insulation, because the U-value threshold is 0,20 for
the ground level of this project .
Let’s open the Composites again and enter 160 mm instead of 200 mm and click ok.
The U-value has changed to 0,18.
Let’s suppose we have to change the Thermal conductivity of the XPS, because of different
manufacturing data.
Let’s open the “U-value calculator” and then the Thermal Property Assignment dialog
box.
Enter 0,035 for the new Thermal conductivity to overwrite the data from Catalog and click
ok.
The U-value has changed to 0,20 watts per square meter Kelvin
We can nicely plan the U-values of composites for our Projects, using the U-value Calculator
of Energy Evaluation.