Mapping of moisture by U-value metering combined with ISO 10456 founded calculations
Arman Nassiria · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen) · 2019
Energy performance in buildings are needed more than they have ever been before. To achieve energy savings in buildings we have to gain a better understanding of the thermal properties in a building. U-value meter is a device used to measure the heat passing through material, a good insulation will have a low lambda value as possible to reduce heat loss. U-value is mainly estimated by calculating the thermal properties of the layers inside a wall. The Building Research Establishment, an organization to investigate building materials and methods of construction for new housing has announced that U-value calculations are frequently incorrect and that there is further research required to reach a more accurate estimation. The aim of this work is to is to analyze if there’s any correlation between moisture readings and U-values. The survey was conducted was by analyzing a terraced house in Matinkylä (Espoo) with moisture problems. Arcada rapid U-value meters were used to reach a more accurate U-value and moisture reading of the walls. The findings showed that the theoretical U-value didn’t match with the measured U-values. The moisture readings showed unsystematic correlation with U-values. The findings in this study suggest that moisture meters are not reliable tool for diagnosing moisture problems.. Instead moisture meter should be used to map a profile of moisture, meaning just to distinguish areas which are moist and dry. However, measuring U-value, with the Arcada U-value meters, to determine moisture problems represents an innovative alternative and non-destructive method to get a more accurate and reliable information. It can be foreseen that U-value metering will revolutionize mapping for moisture in the near future.