Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Thermal Insulation on the Energy Requirements of a Tertiary Building in Meknes

Abstract. Thermal insulation materials are essential for minimizing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer in buildings, irrespective of the presence or absence of air conditioning systems. The right choice of insulation materials paves the way for considerable savings in buildings' energy requirements, while rationalizing the use of air-conditioning systems. This is all the more important in Morocco, where the building sector is one of the biggest consumers of energy. Consequently, improving the energy efficiency of buildings is an imperative, especially in the current context characterized by the gradual depletion of fossil resources and ever-rising energy costs. Our study focuses on the practical impact of integrating different insulation materials, including phase-change materials (PCMs), hemp concrete and polystyrene, into the structure of a tertiary building in Meknes, Morocco. The results of this research highlight that the incorporation of effective thermal insulation in the building's various construction elements results in substantial reductions in energy requirements, both in terms of heating and cooling. It should be noted that this study was carried out using energy simulations with TRNSYS software.