Evaluating advanced building insulation materials: a flexible-weighting multi-objective optimization approach

Buildings significantly contribute to global CO 2 emissions and energy use, with Canadian residential buildings playing a notable role. This study evaluates vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) and aerogel glazing for improving the energy performance of residential buildings. A flexible-weighting multi-objective optimization model, integrated with life cycle assessment, is used to assess 426 envelope design scenarios in British Columbia, based on annual energy consumption, life cycle cost, and environmental impact. While advanced materials can reduce energy use by up to 11.7%, they often involve trade-offs: life cycle costs increase by 33%–399%, and environmental impacts by 6%–166%. Scenario 271 was the optimal, offering balanced performance across all objectives. This hybrid design, combining VIP and Aerogel double-glazed windows with extruded polystyrene insulation, achieved an 8.6% energy reduction, a 43% increase in life cycle cost, and an 8.7% rise in environmental impacts. The findings demonstrate the importance of balancing trade-offs in sustainable building design.