Study of heat loss: Ramirent rental modules

Ramirent Modular Factory AS, 75306 Lehmja, Harju County, Estonia

^* Kristjan Edula: kristjan.edula@ramirent.ee

Abstract

Ramirent Modular Factory (RMF) has conducted the study in cooperation with Tallinn University of Technology to measure heat loss and calculate estimated energy consumption and monthly energy cost of common Ramirent rental modules. The need for the study emerged from Ramirent’s rental customers who have requested more environmentally friendly modules. This research was initiated to prove the theoretical assumption that the 2 wooden modules included in the study, which were produced by Ramirent Modular Factory, have lower heat loss and lower monthly energy costs per m², compared to the steel modules. There were 6 different modules included in the study, 2 steel modules with mineral wool insulation, 2 steel modules with polyurethane insulation and 2 wooden modules with mineral wool insulation. The energy consumption was measured between 21.12.2018 -15.05.2019. Exterior and interior climate of the modules was measured during the research. The conclusion is that 2 wooden modules produced by RMF are most energy efficient and have remarkably lower heat loss per m² than other modules included in the research. The calculated heat loss of a wooden module was in correlation with the energy consumption measurements. The real measured energy consumption of the steel modules was higher than calculated values. Future studies of heat loss are needed to eliminate disturbing factors and considering the use of ventilation aggregate with heat exchanger vs. direct forced air extraction, while maintaining healthy interior climate requirements.