Developing a low-cost thermally insulated ceiling sheet system using coir fibre

Abstract

Recent research has shown that ceilings play a significant role in enhancing thermal comfort and indoor air quality within the built environment, particularly in tropical climates. However, this can result in excessive energy consumption as traditional methods struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. To address this issue, the objective of the research was to develop a cost-effective, thermally insulated ceiling sheet system that reduces the operational energy required for temperature control and ensures consistent temperatures within enclosed spaces. The researchers devised an insulation panel using readily available natural fibers, specifically coconut coir, which possesses excellent insulation properties. The proposed system was modeled and compared with two other scenarios: Calicut roofing without any insulation and Calicut roofing with Expanded Polystyrene Insulation (EPS). The results of the study demonstrated that the single-layer insulation system achieved a remarkable 65% reduction in temperature variation when compared to the traditional roofing system. These findings highlight the efficacy of the proposed low-cost, thermally insulated ceiling sheet system in improving indoor thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption for temperature regulation in tropical climates.