With the continuous improvement of building energy efficiency standards, traditional insulation materials are gradually facing bottlenecks in terms of thickness, space occupation, and energy efficiency improvement. Aerogel, as a new type of high-efficiency insulation material, is gaining attention in the field of building energy efficiency due to its ultra-low thermal conductivity and lightweight properties. This article will systematically analyze the application of aerogel in building energy efficiency from the aspects of material characteristics, application scenarios, and energy-saving value.

I. New Requirements for Insulation Materials in Building Energy Efficiency

Driven by the "dual carbon" goals and building energy efficiency policies, modern buildings have placed higher demands on insulation materials:

Lower thermal conductivity, improving energy efficiency

Achieving higher insulation performance in limited spaces

Balancing fire resistance, safety, and durability

Adapting to the energy-saving renovation needs of existing buildings

In this context, traditional thick-layer insulation solutions are limited in some scenarios, and new insulation materials are gradually entering the application field.

II. What is Aerogel? Why Aerogels Contribute to Building Energy Efficiency

1️⃣ Material Properties of Aerogels

Aerogels are lightweight solid materials characterized by a nanoporous structure, composed of numerous nanoscale pores, with air occupying the majority of the volume. Key features include:

Low density

Extremely small pore size

Continuous but extremely low proportion of solid framework

This unique structure provides the physical basis for the application of aerogels in building energy efficiency.

2️⃣ Thermal Insulation Mechanism of Aerogels

The role of aerogels in building energy efficiency primarily stems from their multiple inhibitions of heat transfer:

Inhibition of heat conduction: The small solid framework significantly weakens heat transfer paths.

Inhibition of gas convection: Nanoscale pores restrict the movement of air molecules.

Reduction of thermal radiation: The porous structure effectively blocks radiant heat.

Therefore, even with relatively small thicknesses, aerogels can still provide good thermal insulation performance.

III. Main Application Scenarios of Aerogel in Building Energy Conservation

1️⃣ Exterior and Interior Wall Insulation

In buildings with high requirements for spatial thickness, aerogel can be used for:

Thin-layer exterior wall insulation systems

Interior wall energy-saving renovation projects

Improving the thermal performance of the building envelope without significantly increasing wall thickness.

2️⃣ Roof and Ceiling Energy Conservation Applications

On roofs or ceilings, aerogel materials can be used as a high-efficiency insulation layer:

Reducing heat entering the room in summer

Lowering air conditioning energy consumption

Improving the overall energy efficiency of the building

Especially suitable for roof structures with strict requirements on self-weight and space.

3️⃣ Energy-saving treatment of building joints and thermal bridges

At locations prone to thermal bridging, such as door and window openings and structural joints, aerogel, with its thin-layer and high-efficiency characteristics, can be used for:

Thermal bridge isolation

Local reinforcement insulation at joints

Contributing to improved overall building energy efficiency.

IV. Advantages of Aerogel in Building Energy Conservation

▶ High Energy Efficiency and Reduced Energy Loss

Aerogels provide good thermal insulation performance with relatively small thicknesses, helping to reduce heating and cooling energy consumption during building operation.

▶ Space Saving and Increased Building Utilization

Compared to traditional insulation materials, aerogels can reduce the thickness of the insulation layer while achieving the same energy-saving goals, making them more suitable for space-constrained building projects.

▶ Facilitates Energy-Saving Retrofits of Existing Buildings

In retrofitting existing buildings, increasing wall thickness is often limited; aerogel thin-layer insulation solutions have practical application value in such projects.

V. Precautions for Aerogel Applications in Building Energy Conservation

In actual engineering projects, the energy-saving effect of aerogels is also closely related to the following factors:

Product Form and Composite Structure Design

Protective Layer and Construction Process

Usage Environment and Design Conditions

Rational selection and standardized construction are key to maximizing the energy-saving performance of aerogels in buildings.

VI. Energy-Saving Differences Between Aerogel and Traditional Building Insulation Materials

From an energy-saving application perspective:

Aerogel Insulation Materials:

Lower thermal conductivity

Suitable for thin-layer, high-efficiency energy saving requirements

Traditional Insulation Materials:

Mature technology

Widely used in conventional buildings

Both can be rationally combined based on building type, energy-saving goals, and cost factors.

In summary, aerogel has significant technological advantages in building energy conservation. Its ultra-low thermal conductivity and thin-layer high efficiency characteristics provide new solutions for building energy-saving design, especially in scenarios with limited space and high energy efficiency requirements, showing promising application prospects. Under the premise of scientific design and standardized construction, aerogel can serve as an effective supplementary material in building energy-saving systems, contributing to the continuous improvement of building energy efficiency levels.