Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate

The study examines the potential of using passive design strategies from locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials to improve building energy efficiency in hot climates. Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard aggregates and biodegradable binders (cornstarch, lime and...

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Main Authors: Jemi Merrin Mathews, Vivek B, Meghana Charde
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Sustainable Energy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14786451.2024.2432280
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author Jemi Merrin Mathews
Vivek B
Meghana Charde
author_facet Jemi Merrin Mathews
Vivek B
Meghana Charde
author_sort Jemi Merrin Mathews
collection DOAJ
description The study examines the potential of using passive design strategies from locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials to improve building energy efficiency in hot climates. Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard aggregates and biodegradable binders (cornstarch, lime and clay) were assessed for their impact on energy consumption by retrofitting an existing building in Dubai. Weather data and building energy consumption were monitored onsite. Three insulation panels composites of varying thickness were incorporated into base model of existing building and assessed for their energy consumption across various months, seasons and on representative dates using OpenStudio integrated with EnergyPlus. The energy consumption of existing building was validated against recorded data. The 100 mm thick cardboard-cornstarch panel was found to be most effective reducing HVAC energy consumption by 19.71% during peak summer season and 10.3% annually. An economic analysis calculated the material cost, energy cost and payback period associated with the fabricated panels.
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institution Kabale University
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language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series International Journal of Sustainable Energy
spelling doaj-art-7f470838e95e43dfb53fa82d9ba460ea2024-12-12T12:56:52ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Sustainable Energy1478-64511478-646X2025-12-0144110.1080/14786451.2024.2432280Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climateJemi Merrin Mathews0Vivek B1Meghana Charde2Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani - Dubai Campus, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani - Dubai Campus, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani - Dubai Campus, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesThe study examines the potential of using passive design strategies from locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials to improve building energy efficiency in hot climates. Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard aggregates and biodegradable binders (cornstarch, lime and clay) were assessed for their impact on energy consumption by retrofitting an existing building in Dubai. Weather data and building energy consumption were monitored onsite. Three insulation panels composites of varying thickness were incorporated into base model of existing building and assessed for their energy consumption across various months, seasons and on representative dates using OpenStudio integrated with EnergyPlus. The energy consumption of existing building was validated against recorded data. The 100 mm thick cardboard-cornstarch panel was found to be most effective reducing HVAC energy consumption by 19.71% during peak summer season and 10.3% annually. An economic analysis calculated the material cost, energy cost and payback period associated with the fabricated panels.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14786451.2024.2432280Thermal insulation panelrecycled cardboardbuilding energy consumptionretrofitsimulationeconomic analysis
spellingShingle Jemi Merrin Mathews
Vivek B
Meghana Charde
Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
International Journal of Sustainable Energy
Thermal insulation panel
recycled cardboard
building energy consumption
retrofit
simulation
economic analysis
title Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
title_full Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
title_fullStr Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
title_full_unstemmed Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
title_short Thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings: retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
title_sort thermal insulation panels fabricated using recycled cardboard for energy efficiency in buildings retrofit performance evaluation in hot climate
topic Thermal insulation panel
recycled cardboard
building energy consumption
retrofit
simulation
economic analysis
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14786451.2024.2432280
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AT vivekb thermalinsulationpanelsfabricatedusingrecycledcardboardforenergyefficiencyinbuildingsretrofitperformanceevaluationinhotclimate
AT meghanacharde thermalinsulationpanelsfabricatedusingrecycledcardboardforenergyefficiencyinbuildingsretrofitperformanceevaluationinhotclimate