Lada Cube has been doing some unique testing of our demountable insulated panels to compare thermal envelope properties of traditionally constructed walls vs. Lada Cube panel walls. We think you'll be as impressed by the results as we are.
TESTING PARAMETERS
The primary objective was to complete comprehensive test of a real life comparison showing how Lada Cube demountable insulated panels stack up against traditional building methods. Our testing was completed through the construction of 4 tiny 4'x4'x4' homes. Home #1 - consisted of traditional 2x4 stud & roll (fiberglass) insulation built framing; Home #2 - consisted of 4.5" Lada Cube demountable insulated panels; Home #3 - consisted of 6.5" Lada Cube demountable insulated panels; and Home #4 - consisted of 8.5" Lada Cube demountable insulated panels. All constructed tiny home units consisted of 8 cubic feet of empty space interior volume.
Each tiny home was fitted with temperature monitors inside the units as well as outside on the shaded side of each unit, which provided direct data readings to our systems. The only source of heat for all units was a 4watt (simple nightlight) which was constantly "left on" throughout the testing. Lastly, the testing was completed in near Charlotte, North Carolina in March 2015, over a 4 day period (4/3/15-4/6/15), with consistent temperature readings of each unit every 30 minutes on the hour and every half hour.
We established a “center-line” of 72 degrees F throughout all of the data, which we could argue is the standard average comfort level of most households. From here we simply gauged each reading's standard variance from the center-line of 72 degrees.
The valuable data collected from each tiny home allowed us to provide some invaluable insights as well as direct correlation to the differences between Lada Cube panels and traditional building methods.
RESULTS
Below is summary data and a graph (attached is raw data spreadsheet). Over the entire study you can see that the stick frame (stud) box varied by 1,288 degrees from the norm of 72. The 6.5” panel is about half that, or about 100% (actually 99%) better than stick frame. Then, since insulation is only really required when the temperatures are “uncomfortable,” We reviewed only the day – from noon to noon - when the temperature reached its lowest point of 38 degrees – and we saw that the stud frame box had a variance of 506 degrees, and by comparison the 4.5” panel performed at 134% better and the 6.5” panel performed at 220% better than the stick framed box with a variance of only 158 degrees.
Remember, just as Lada Cube panels will protect against the cold, they also protect against the upward swings when the weather gets hot. We like to say, "the best of both worlds." Additionally, you will notice in the graph, that the better the insulation the more gradual the slope of the line (slower rate of change). You will also notice a phase shift of the curves from when the air temp hits a high or a low and a delay as to when the other temperature monitors reach a high or low.
Furthermore, in the analysis of the chart, it really comes down to two areas - the slope of the lines and the phase shift of the curve. As mentioned previously, the "Air Temp" monitor was left outside on the shady side of our factory building, so no radiant sun exposure was present.
Here is a compilation of the data in a more comprehensive/viewer friendly format:
In conclusion, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. These figures show that Lada Cube demountable insulated panels offer tremendous benefits and cost saving advantages in the heating and cooling of your spaces.
As always, we welcome all of your feedback and comments.