Conductor wall with internal/external insulation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the advantages and disadvantages of placing styrofoam insulation on the interior versus the exterior of a house. It concludes that while both methods achieve a steady state temperature, interior insulation allows for quicker temperature changes, while exterior insulation stabilizes temperature fluctuations. Practical considerations reveal that neither option is ideal due to vulnerabilities such as nesting birds and structural integrity issues. Instead, insulation should be placed between walls or under floors and roofs, potentially protected by materials like wood or gypsum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermal insulation principles
  • Knowledge of building materials, specifically styrofoam
  • Familiarity with temperature regulation in residential structures
  • Basic concepts of heat transfer and steady state conditions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the thermal performance of different insulation materials
  • Explore building codes and best practices for insulation installation
  • Learn about the impact of insulation placement on energy efficiency
  • Investigate protective layers for insulation, such as wood and gypsum
USEFUL FOR

Homeowners, builders, architects, and insulation contractors seeking to optimize thermal performance and energy efficiency in residential construction.

Donna14
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Homework Statement


Doing my homework I came across the question:
why it would be better to have styrofoam on the inside of the house
And why it could be better to have it on the outsideThe answer is
The steady state will be the same for both but
inside: warm and cold quickly
Outside: temperature will be more stableIm just not understanding why it is like this... Can someone explane this to me?
 
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Typically schoolbook. What they are after: heating and cooling the house itself also requires heat. So with the insulation on the inside, the interior doesn't have to provide that heat (/cold). With the insulation on the outside, once the steady state is established, the house walls provide a buffer.

In practice nobody in his right mind has styrofoam on the outside: birds nest in it, it's vulnerable, etc. Inside idem: not sturdy enough. So isolate between walls or under floors, under roof tiles. But variations are imaginable: with a protective layer of wood or gypsum.
 

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