Economic insulation thickness. [ECON manual still useful]

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7349772

Curt, R P

When insulation is used to save energy, how does the designer calculate optimal economic thickness to use. Economic thickness is defined as the ''thickness which produces the lowest annual cost of lost (or gained) heat and installed insulation over the life of the facility.'' The ECON manual uses the basic formulas derived by Professor L. B. McMillan in 1926 to calculate economic thickness. Although ECON was introduced before the sharp rise in energy costs, the thicknesses recommended by this method continue to appear excessive for many applications. A major reason for this is that the minimum depreciation period allowed for in the manual is 10 years. If you have 10 years to amortize your insulation vs. two or three, you can naturally afford more insulation. Despite some objections, ECON remains the most comprehensive published method for economic analysis of insulation specification.

• Research Organization: York Research Corp., Stamford, CT
• OSTI ID: 7349772
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States) Vol. 55:3; ISSN HYPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
320303 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
COST
DIMENSIONS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY LOSSES
HEAT LOSSES
OPTIMIZATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARDS
THERMAL INSULATION
THICKNESS