The Economic Burden of Non-Insulated Buildings Can Reach 12-15 Billion Dollars Annually!

ERYAP Group CEO Emrullah Eruslu: “Energy efficiency-focused thermal insulation is crucial for the national economy.”

 

Approximately one-third of Turkey's energy imports, which can reach up to 100 billion dollars annually, are consumed by buildings, and only 20% of the buildings in our country are insulated. The economic burden of non-insulated or poorly insulated buildings can reach 12 to 15 billion dollars per year. In addition to causing significant energy losses, uninsulated buildings also lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions.
 

Emrullah Eruslu, CEO of Eryap Group, which owns Bonus Insulation, the only 100% locally-owned Turkish brand in the insulation sector, emphasized the importance of energy efficiency-focused thermal insulation for the national economy. Eruslu noted that in 2022, Turkey's annual energy imports approached 100 billion dollars due to skyrocketing global energy prices. “Turkey’s annual energy imports typically range between 70 to 80 billion dollars, with approximately one-third of this energy being consumed by buildings. A significant portion of the energy we import is used to heat buildings in winter and cool them in summer, yet 80% of our building stock is outside the scope of energy efficiency regulations. This leads to serious energy losses and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The energy losses in non-insulated or poorly insulated buildings impose an annual burden of 12 to 15 billion dollars on the national economy,” Eruslu said.
 

Urban Transformation Presents Significant Opportunities for Energy Efficiency
 

Highlighting the importance of efficient resource use, Emrullah Eruslu stated, "We are in a period where geopolitical risks are intensifying global economic conditions. It is crucial, especially during such times, to use all our resources as efficiently and economically as possible. As the energy bottleneck continues to burden net energy-importing economies like Turkey, using energy efficiently has become as critical as transitioning to renewable energy sources in combating the climate crisis. These issues are directly related to our daily lives and the insulation sector, which plays a crucial role in this."
 

Emrullah Eruslu further emphasized the significant opportunities for energy efficiency in the ongoing urban transformation process in Turkey. He stated, “According to Ministry data, Turkey has 6 million homes and 1.5 million workplaces that are considered at risk and in need of transformation. Our main goal in urban transformation should be to achieve sustainable structural safety, economic efficiency, and quality living and working conditions. For instance, waterproofing is vital for constructing earthquake-resistant and long-lasting buildings in urban transformation projects. Fire and sound insulation also play an equally critical role in ensuring safety, comfort, and productivity. Thermal insulation, in particular, provides a direct solution to the energy inefficiency problem, which costs the economy over 10 billion dollars annually. Additionally, thermal insulation can be applied not only during the construction phase but also retroactively in existing buildings."
 

He added, "The Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) concept was introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change in 2022. The nZEB concept defines buildings with the highest energy efficiency, supported by renewable energy. In addition to renewable energy contributions, high energy performance is the main determining factor in making a building nZEB, and proper thermal insulation is crucial in this regard."

 

Up to 60% Energy Savings with Bonus Stone Wool without Increasing Construction Costs
 

Bonus Insulation is the one-stop solution for all insulation needs in the four critical areas of insulation: thermal, water, sound, and fire, with its high-quality products. Bonus Stone Wool is produced at the company’s 62,000 m² modern facility in Hendek, Sakarya. When properly applied in accordance with standards, Bonus Stone Wool insulation can achieve up to 60% energy savings in buildings.

Insulation investments, which generally range from 1% to 3% of the total construction cost, pay for themselves through savings in 2-5 years when applied correctly. One of the key advantages of Bonus Stone Wool is that it offers higher savings without significantly increasing application costs when used in standard thicknesses.
 

The Importance of Using the Right Thickness of Insulation Materials in Buildings
 

Using the correct thickness of insulation materials in buildings is particularly important. While insulation materials in our country are typically 3-5 cm thick, in countries with similar climates, thicknesses of 15-20 cm are used. Opting for thicker insulation boards does not significantly increase construction costs but provides substantial energy efficiency by reducing the energy required for heating and cooling buildings.