ORNL Developing ‘Next-Generation’ Insulation to Significantly Reduce Cooling, Heating Loads

ORNL Developing ‘Next-Generation’ Insulation to Significantly Reduce Cooling, Heating Loads
OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—A composite foam insulation panel being developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and partners potentially could reduce wall-generated heating and cooling loads in buildings by 38% to 50%, and save homeowners $150 or more on average per year in energy costs. The 2 in. (51 mm) board would feature modified atmosphere insulation and target an R-value of 25 at a projected cost of 30 cents per square foot more than current insulation materials. According to ORNL, that means the insulation would have a payback of 10 years. “This project is in line with the Department of Energy’s goal to reduce energy consumption in buildings by 50% by 2030,” said Kaushik Biswas of ORNL’s Building Envelope Systems Research Group.