Assessing the thermal performance of hempcrete: a case study using infrared thermography

The construction industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, highlighting the need for sustainable materials. Hempcrete, a composite of hemp hurd and lime, offers a promising alternative due to its insulating properties and low environmental impact. This study evaluates the thermal performance of hempcrete by comparing theoretical U-value calculations with in-situ measurements using infrared thermography. A thermal analysis was conducted on a single-family home constructed with hempcrete. Thermal images were captured using a FLIR E6xt WiFi thermal camera and processed using FLIR Thermal Studio 2.0.21. Theoretical U-values were calculated using Ubakus software, while additional data analysis was conducted with Mathcad and Microsoft Excel. Results show that wind speed is crucial in heat loss measurements, emphasizing the importance of precise environmental data collection. Additionally, variations in U-values were observed due to differences in construction techniques, particularly the compaction of hempcrete. This study confirms hempcrete’s potential as an energy-efficient building material and highlights the effectiveness of infrared thermography as a practical tool for assessing thermal performance. These findings contribute to improving evaluation methods for sustainable construction and support the wider adoption of hempcrete in modern building practices.