Thermal dispersion study of roof and wall materials with chemical pretreatments for energy reduction

Abstract This study focuses on reducing heat losses in residential buildings, specifically in the climatic conditions of Ranchi, India. The analysis emphasizes the use of Expanded Polystyrene as an insulating material to address challenges associated with high thermal distribution rates in building envelopes. High thermal distribution in building envelopes and inefficient thermal systems are the primary drivers of increased energy consumption. Thermal distribution of the building envelope contributes to high energy consumption which shield the internal environment from exterior factors such as heating, cooling, humidity, rain, wind, snow, light, noise and air pollution depending on the location. In the month of June, average thermal flows reached 4.9 W/m 2 for walls and 18.6 W/m 2 for roofs due to higher ambient temperatures and solar irradiance. During winter, heat dispersion was reduced to 2.5 W/m 2 for walls and 1.7 W/m 2 for roofs, demonstrating the insulating efficiency of Expanded Polystyrene compared to conventional materials. This study demonstrates that Expanded Polystyrene significantly reduces heat losses by 90 % in roofs and 47 % in walls compared to conventional structures without insulation, showcasing its efficiency as an insulating material. Its application in real-world residential buildings can lead to substantial energy savings and improved thermal comfort, making it a practical solution for energy-efficient construction.