Techno-Environmental Assessment of Insulation Materials in Saudi Arabia: Integrating Thermal Performance and LCA

Arid and hot regions, like Saudi Arabia, utilize up to 60% of the country’s energy regulate buildings’ indoor comfort. Energy efficiency is a long-term sustainability measure that part government’s Vision 2030 strategy. A standard method improving thermal performance buildings through use insulation materials. Considering cooling loads’ requirement Global Warming Potential (GWP), present research evaluated effectiveness materials, including extruded polystyrene, expanded rock wool, glass wool in hot, arid climate. For this case study, four similar villas facing cardinal directions were selected from residential project at Qassim University. HOBO data loggers used collect temperature data. Thermal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted accordance with Building Code-602 (SBC-602). Simulation outputs based on for assessing LCA different thicknesses densities This was done using IESVE SimaPro, IMPACR2002+, assess their load GWP, respectively. The results suggest potential lower thickness northern western façades without violating SBC. obtained actual three materials achieving temperatures selection along associated GWP. study have been generalized form performance-based flowchart as tool selecting type environmental region Arabia.