Thermal Mass is a key element of passive design. Passive design uses natural energy to help reduce the requirement for heating and cooling, reducing the consumption of energy within the structure. Thermal Mass acts to moderate temperature fluctuations naturally. Recent Australian research confirms the effectiveness of Thermal Mass and the considerable effects of Thermal Mass in different climate zones.
Energy efficiency is important to us all. We all have an increased awareness of the need to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Energy use is a major contributor to greenhouse gases, and the largest proportion of household energy is consumed in heating and cooling. With the increase in installation of residential air-conditioning and central heating/cooling systems, energy consumption has increased significantly. Increased energy consumption has also been known to place burdens on electricity generation, especially during peak periods such as summer heat-waves.
Designing and constructing an energy-efficient building has the potential to substantially and permanently reduce the amount of energy consumed within that building. Energy-efficient passive (Thermal Mass) design is the way of the future.
Using the environment to reduce energy consumption by designing to maintain a level of thermal comfort naturally, will reduce our reliance on artificial heating and cooling an therefore reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The following design features work together to passively heat and cool a building:
- Orientation to assist the natural heating and cooling of building. For example, glass areas and shading on the north face will capture the low winter sun access, but exclude the high summer sun.
- Ventilation by capturing cooling breezes and utilising natural air flows from cross-ventilation to cool a building.
- Insulation to act as an impediment to heat flow - in the summer months, from the outside walls to the inside and in the winter months, from the inside walls to the outside.
- Thermal Mass to naturally moderate temperature by incorporating dense wall materials.
The Thermomass Building Insulation System from Composite Global Solutions provides a simple way of maintaining the inside temperatures of buildings all year-round and of reducing building heating and cooling loads. Energy savings are achieved for the life of the building. The durability, compressive strength, thermal performance, chemical makeup and fire resistance of the Thermomass Building Insulation System make it a sustainable choice.