@JournalArticle {2341,
	title = {Building insulation materials. Beyond operational energy},
	journal = {Revista H{\'a}bitat Sustentable},
	volume = {6},
	year = {2016},
	month = {2016-10-18 00:00:00},
	pages = {30-39},
	edition = {2, December},
	abstract = {
The use of thermal insulation materials for the achievement of high standards of energy efficiency intended, in most cases, the fulfilment of the required heating and cooling needings of the operational phase. This paper aims to - by means of exploratory methodology, namely literature review - identify more sustainable insulation materials and, concomitantly, exposing the paradoxical effect of other insulation materials with high Global Warming Potential (GWP) highlighting the role of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Ecodesign and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) tools for the framing, comparison and selection of materials. As a main conclusion, it is noticed the lack of environmental information from the producers which, together with acquisition prices that do not internalize Life Cycle Costs (LCC), has led to the use of insulation materials with high carbon footprint and to the "insulation paradox" as well.

},
	keywords = {Insulation Materials, Insulation Paradox, Life cycle assessment, Operational energy, Sustainability assessment},
	issn = {0719-0700},
	author = {Oliveira Augusto, C. and Bragan{\c c}a, L. and Almeida, Manuela G.}
}