Evaluating the impact of water-repellent Rockwool on enhancing the energy performance of Veneer brick walls

This study investigates the role of water-repellent rockwool insulation in improving the energy performance of veneer brick walls. The implementation procedure is conducted in such a way that the insulation is installed in the cavity created between the inner timber frame and the external brickwork. Recently, indoor climate and comfort have higher and more stringent standards that increased the need for retrofitted wall insulation, making investment in thermal solutions essential. Moreover rockwool, produced from molten rock, offers excellent acoustic and thermal performance. The main objective of this study is focused on single-family homes located in two different climates, Brisbane, Australia, and Isfahan, Iran. For this purpose, an energy model for a building was designed using Autodesk Revit 2020 software, and peak thermal and cooling loads were calculated with and without execution of rock wool insulation. The results illustrate that filling the cavity of veneer brick walls with the water-repellent Rockwool can reduce the energy consumption by about 59% in Brisbane and 72% in Isfahan.