In Situ Experimental Validation of therm Finite Element Analysis for a High R-Value Wall Using Vacuum Insulation Panels

This paper details the method used for a theoretical evaluation of Team Ontario's, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 entrant, high R-value wall using vacuum insulation panels (VIPs). The purpose is to determine a theoretical whole-wall thermal resistance to be used for energy modeling. Theoretical simulations are performed in therm, a two-dimensional finite element heat transfer modeling program, and an in situ experimental validation is conducted in Carleton University's Vacuum Insulation Test Facility located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The theoretical model is refined based on the experimental study, and a whole-wall thermal resistance of Team Ontario's wall design is determined to be 9.4 m²·K/W (53 h·ft²·°F/Btu) at an exterior design temperature of −18 °C (0 °F).