Thermal Performance of Medina Date Palm Components as Thermal Insulation in Local Buildings

Literature indicates that despite the significance of Medina palm leaflets and trunk fibers as thermal insulation materials for buildings, their thermal characteristics in local environment of Medina have not been determined. To address this gap, in this study, four different insulating slab samples were prepared using suitable molds and different fractions of materials. Each sample was tested under same values of temperature, density, and time to estimate thermal conductivity of the novel composite. It was found that the new insulation material reduces the rate of heat transfer four times, and 46.42% of energy-saving was achieved. These findings indicate that this composite made of natural materials is a promising option to bring about significant decrease in energy consumption for cooling and heating of buildings and maintaining thermal comfort in an eco-friendly manner.