Thermal Performance Evaluation of Bio-Based Insulation Materials in Residential Buildings Across Continental Climates

This study the thermal and economic analysis of four bio-based insulations, including hempcrete, sheep wool, cellulose fiber, and straw bale, in residential constructions in three regions in continental climates: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. An open-source Python based simulation framework was created to reduce the overall cost, which entails the life-cycle energy cost and material installation cost in 15 years. Analysis was incorporated with climate-specific parameters, including Heating and Cooling Degree Days (HDD and CDD) or electricity price. Findings indicate that cellulose fiber has recorded the lowest cost for a total of the three regions with the optimum thickness of 0.21 m in Uzbekistan, and 0.35 m in Mongolia. Hempcrete had the least thermal conductivity and material density; hence, it was the most expensive with the highest thickness. The paper shows that the cost-effectiveness of the energy retrofits can be greatly increased with the help of climate-adapted insulation design developed with the help of simulation-based optimization. The results can be translated into practical recommendations to policy-makers and architects interested in the creation of low-carbon and thermally efficient solutions in residential construction in a variety of climate zones.