Quantitative Evaluation of Thermal Conductivity Effects of Green Interior Materials on Indoor Thermal Regulation and Energy Consumption
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/spee1048-5236.45211Keywords:
Green interior materials, Thermal conductivity, HVAC energy consumption, Thermal time constant, Heat-flux response, Aerogel composite, Building energy efficiencyAbstract
Interior finishing materials are often regarded as architectural surfaces rather than active thermal components, and their role in building energy efficiency remains underexplored. As global cooling demand continues to rise and buildings account for nearly one-third of global energy use, developing low-carbon thermal modulation strategies has become an urgent priority. In this study, seven representative green interior materials (natural wood, bamboo composite, gypsum board, diatom coating, recycled cellulose fiberboard, cork sheet, and aerogel-enhanced composite) were experimentally evaluated under controlled cooling conditions to quantify their effects on indoor heat-transfer behavior and HVAC energy consumption. Surface temperature evolution, transient heat flux, and comfort stability were continuously monitored, and thermal response curves were fitted using a first-order decay model to extract the thermal time constant τ. The results show that aerogel and cellulose finishes substantially delayed heat penetration, exhibiting τ≈ 1.47 h and τ≈ 1.32 h, respectively, representing up to 42% longer response time compared to wood. Cooling energy consumption decreased by 10–18% with low-conductivity finishes, accompanied by smoother temperature fluctuations and enhanced comfort stability. A strong correlation emerged between thermal conductivity and normalized energy demand (R2≈0.89), allowing the development of a predictive selection model for material-driven HVAC performance. These findings demonstrate that finishing layers can serve as functional thermal regulators rather than passive decorative elements, offering a scalable and lightweight strategy for reducing operational building energy and enabling low-carbon retrofit pathways.
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