En jämförelse mellan användning av prefabricerat element för tilläggsisolering eller ombyggnation av ytterväggar ur ett miljö- och ekonomiskt perspektiv

Sammanfattning: Purpose: The goal of this study is to conduct an LCA and LCC analysis of an additional insulation panel and a sandwich panel, to see which panel has the most benefits regrading environmental effects and economical effects. The purpose of this study is to conduct a research regarding the economical and environmental effect a refurbishment on the exterior walls of an industrial building, is it more beneficial to add insulation to the existing walls or remodel the exterior walls. The European Union has sat a target to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gases within all sectors including the construction sector. The goal is to reduce the emissions by 80-95 % by the year 2050, calculated by the emission rate from the year 1990. Approximately 20 % of the heating produced within in a building seeps out from the exterior walls, this adds to the importance of optimizing a buildings insulating capabilities. The study can be broken down in to three subcategories. (1) How do you add insulation the exterior walls of an industrial building? (2) Which is more economically benefitable, the reconstruction of existing walls or using prefabricated panels with common goal of adding insulting to an existing industrial building. (3) Which alterative has more impact on the environment, using prefabricate panels or reconstruct the existing walls of a building. Method: Methods used to answer the question above include a literature analysis, a document analysis and a case study with the purposes of conducting a life cycle analysis and life cycle cost analysis.     Findings: The results of the study points towards that insulating on externally was a much better option in our case study, it reduced the chances of having to deal with both thermal bridges and damages caused by structural dampness in the walls. The results from the LCA an LCC analysis showed that the additional insulation panels had a significant advantage. When using the additional insulation panels the overall cost of the project was reduced by 30,3% and Carbon dioxide emissions where deducted by 50,8% in comparison with the sandwich panels, when both alternatives had a combined u-value of 0,16 W/m2K. Implications: The study shows the importance of conducting an LCA and LCC analysis in the start-up process of project, to determine which alternative are more beneficial for the project and the environment. The study also shows that with a relative low investment and environmental impact you can improve the U-value of a building Limitations: The study was focused solely around industrial buildings and the study is limited to the exterior walls. No other building components where taken in consideration. Keywords: Insulation, LCA, LCC, Exterior walls, additional insulation, industrial buildings