Existing buildings currently dominate the U.S. building sector, and the United States must continue to increase the energy efficiency of its buildings to enjoy a sustainable energy and environmental future. The existing buildings sector accounts for 41 percent of the United States’ energy consumption, more than any other end-use sector including transportation and industry. Space heating and cooling represent about 36 percent (14.5 quads) of the energy used in buildings. High-performance and cost-effective thermal insulation can significantly reduce cooling and heating loads. By 2035, more than 50 percent of residential and commercial stock will be pre-2010 buildings. Retrofit offers a significant market for building insulation, however, retrofitting existing buildings is challenging using conventional insulations because of the buildings’ size and design restraints. Retrofit projects require insulating materials that are cost-effective and easy to install.
This research aimed to produce an insulation material suitable for retrofit projects with 2- 4 times the R-value of current insulation, and at a lower total cost. The team successfully developed and tested a nanoparticle-based composite with a high R/inch of 9 with the potential to be a viable retrofit insulation material composed of nanoparticles with an extremely high thermal insulation and could fit within the space limitations of existing buildings. The technology readiness level increased from level 2 to level 4.