Analysis of energy consumption of a building placed in Milan by adopting common building insulation materials and recycled surgical masks

The paper analyses using recycled materials for insulation panels, focusing on repurposing surgical masks for building insulation in a circular economy. Since insulation panels made from recycled materials are suitable for use in disadvantaged contexts, dynamic simulations are performed before and after applying the panels in an apartment of approximately 80 m2 of floor area, part of a social housing complex in Milan (Italy). The TRNSYS software analysis focuses on the heating season, assessing the impact before and after energy retrofit interventions with an inside application of insulation panels. Additionally, further analyses compare energy savings using commercial insulants like mineral wool and polystyrene. Results show that the reduction in thermal energy demand for heating employing commercial insulants is comparable to the obtained from employing non-commercial insulants. Moreover, the comfort analysis also displays similar results after the employment of commercial and non-commercial insulants.