Lazaro, S. A. M.; Li, X. and Baba, V. F. (2026) Evaluating expanded polystyrene insulation for enhancing energy efficiency in residential buildings: A scalable model from Mozambique. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 24(4), pp. 992-1011. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to posit that Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation represents a critical, yet underutilized, intervention for achieving sustainable development in tropical regions. A scalable, evidence-based framework was developed and validated to evaluate the energy, economic and environmental performance of EPS in resource-constrained contexts, with Mozambique as a primary case study. Design/methodology/approach – A calibrated energy simulation model of a typical Mozambican household was developed using DesignBuilder software. Comparative analyses quantified energy savings against a baseline model, while cost-benefit and environmental assessments evaluated economic viability and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions. The methodology integrated local climate data, material properties and economic conditions to ensure contextual relevance and global scalability. Findings – The analysis identified 95 mm as a cost-effective EPS thickness for roof insulation in Mozambique's tropical climate. This configuration reduced annual cooling energy consumption by 30.1% (from 5, 392.04 kWh to 3, 767.28 kWh) and decreased operational CO2 emissions by 13.52% (from 944.73 kg to 816.99 kg). The initial investment of MZN 56, 354.78 (US$ 882.08) was recovered within a discounted payback period of 6.3 years, demonstrating strong financial viability. Originality/value – This research pioneers a holistic and scalable framework for assessing building insulation in tropical developing countries, a domain with a significant research gap. By synthesizing localized climatic, economic and material data, it provides a replicable blueprint for policymakers and builders to enhance energy efficiency and climate resilience, advancing global sustainable development goals.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cost-effectiveness; energy efficiency; expanded polystyrene; sustainable construction; thermal insulation; tropical climates |
| Index terms: | configuration, evidence, payback, methodology, environmental assessment, sustainable construction, thickness, energy simulation, material property, cost-effectivenes, developing country, builder, comparative analysis, carbon dioxide, sustainable development, sustainable development goal, thermal insulation, energy-saving, household, energy consumption, insulation, roof, Mozambique, economic condition, CO2 emissions, case study, environmental performance, residential building, energy efficiency, climate resilience, financial viability |
| Subjects: | sustainability assessment, research methods, Geography, sustainable design, health safety and environment, sustainable construction, development economics, demography, construction type, evaluation and assessment methods, materials science, environmental impact, practitioner, climate science, business management, economic analysis, design practice, economics, material properties and characteristics, systems engineering, data collection methods, air quality, modelling and simulation, sustainability and energy, building materials, data analysis and analytics, energy systems |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here