Internal insulation system in the retrofitting process of a historical building (Piacenza, Italy）

Due to its disadvantages, internal insulation system has been neglected for longtime and exterior insulation system dominates the usage. But as the new technology development, many problems of internal insulation can be solved. What’s more, the internal insulation is also the compulsory choice in historical building preservation. So, the internal insulation technology needs more deep research. The potential of using internal insulation should be re-focused on, making the external wall more energy efficient. This paper illustrates the background of the internal insulation system, compares it with other three different kinds of insulation system, calculated the “life cycle cost” of three different insulation materials in specific conditions ( Piacenza, Italy). Then focused on the two main problems of internal insulation system ——“thermal bridge” and “condensation”. The simulating software is also used to calculate and verify the thermal bridge. After that, the treatments of the thermal bridge are proposed. In the end of this thesis, the total heating and cooling energy demands were also simulated according to ISO13790. The originality of this paper is that “giving a holistic view of internal insulation technology, providing some statics of detailed composition to help architects escape the wall thermal bridge and condensation.” This paper offers a roadmap for design insulation system in the north Italy and will promote the use of internal insulation system in this area.