Evaluation of slab-edge insulation on energy saving for heating and cooling slab-on-ground houses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the appropriate utilization of slab-edge insulation and the corresponding savings in operational energy by using data collected from two existing full scale housing modules with typical slab-on-ground footing systems. In this study, an experimental investigation and a theoretical analysis were carried out simultaneously. For the experimental investigation, one of the modules was retrofitted by installation of insulation at the edges of the slab, the other module slab edge (without insulation) was used as a parallel experiment. Fifty-eight sensors were arranged at the upper slab surface and the edge surface of the slab to monitor heat flow effects. There were auxiliary heating and cooling systems in the two housing modules to maintain a constant indoor temperature. The data of temperature, heat flux and operational energy over an eight-month period indicated that the slab-edge insulation had obviously decreased the energy consumption of the insulated housing module. In the numerical analysis, a transient two-dimensional Finite Volume Method (FVM) model was developed for the analysis of the effects of slab-edge insulation. An FVM, analysis was then carried out to evaluate the thermal performance of slab-edge insulation of various sizes and at different positions.