Insulation

This area is used to compare different insulation measures. Their long-term costs are determined based on global factors, building information, a selected heat generator and energy sources. For this purpose, a range of possible U-values for one or more component groups such as attic, exterior windows, etc. is given for each individual analysis. From this range of possibilities, the optimum insulation for this component group or component groups is calculated by a number of simulations. The result graphic then allows a quick comparison of the resulting costs. Some analyses are already preset by default, but these can be edited or deleted. 

Different from the heat generators, the computational effort of the analyses is much higher, because here several simulations of the building take place. Therefore, the calculations required by changes have to be started manually.

This area includes the following sections

Global factors

The global factors are the same for all variants. Therefore they can be compared with each other.

• Observation period: The period over which the cost determination takes place
• Calculation interest rate: The interest rate with which costs are charged.
• Inflation rate: The general rate of price increases for building components.
• Consider cooling: Selection whether costs for cooling are considered.

Current building

In the Current building section, the heat generator used for the building can be set. In addition, the heating and cooling demand calculated by the simulation of the original building is displayed.

Component overview

An overview of the component types possible for all analyses, the average U-values and total areas of the current building.

Energy source

A list of the different energy sources, their current price per kWh and their inflation rate. The inflation rate can be indicated here for each energy source independently, in order to be able to react flexibly to forecasts.

Results graphic

Here, not only can the results be compared with each other, but analyses can also be edited, created and deleted. 

If the calculations are no longer up to date, a warning symbol ( ) is displayed for the respective analysis. By clicking on "Calculate all", all analyses are performed again. 

Calculations

Since a change in the insulation has a major impact on the entire building, a number of calculations must be carried out for each analysis. The energy demand of the building is calculated with different U-values in the given range. These results are then used to determine the optimum U-value combination for the individual building parts of the given building. From the investment costs and a new simulation of the energy demand, the long-term costs result.

During the calculation, the progress dialog shows the combinations used for the analysis and their results.

Editing an analysis

Clicking on a column of the diagram opens the dialog for customizing an analysis. 

On the opened cost tab, this provides a more precise overview of the costs, the effects of the measure and the energy requirements.

In the Action tab, the parameters used can be determined. In the upper part is a table of the component types that can be selected for analysis. The column Action offers the choice between "Ignore", "Replacement with same U-value" and "Optimized Replacement (U-Value)":

• Ignore: This type of component has no influence on the investment costs and is not insulated.
• Replacement with same U-value): This type of building component has fixed costs and does not offer any additional insulation.
• Optimized Replacement (U-Value): The U-value is searched for with the optimal combination of investment costs and insulation between minimum and maximum U-value. Interactions are also taken into account by the simulation.

For the component type selected in the table, the service life and the type of investment cost calculation can be determined. There are three different possibilities to calculate the investment costs. A generic estimation, a user-defined value and a user-defined estimation. The graph on the right side gives an overview of which investment costs can be expected for a given performance. For renovation without insulation only the fixed choice of a value is possible.

Generic price curves are already stored for each part type. If a value is known, it can be entered under "User defined value". If empirical values or a product range offers other U-value/price combinations, these can be entered in the table under "User defined estimation". An estimation is then calculated. This is also visible on the right side. Please note that the range of the minimum and maximum U-value is limited to the limits of the U-values entered here.