GesamtUWert

GesamtUWert is a term used in environmental engineering and building science to represent the overall thermal transmittance of a building element or component. It is essentially a weighted average of the U-values of all the constituent layers and components that make up a specific part of the building envelope, such as a wall, roof, or window. The U-value itself measures how well a material or structure conducts heat, with lower U-values indicating better insulation and less heat transfer.

The calculation of GesamtUWert takes into account not only the primary materials but also thermal bridges, which are areas of higher heat conductivity that can significantly reduce the overall thermal performance of an element. These bridges often occur at junctions between different building components, such as where a wall meets a floor or a window frame connects to the wall. By incorporating the effect of these thermal bridges, the GesamtUWert provides a more realistic assessment of the actual heat loss through a building element compared to a simple U-value calculation of the main materials alone.

Understanding the GesamtUWert is crucial for energy efficiency calculations and for complying with building regulations. It helps designers and builders to identify areas where insulation can be improved and to ensure that the building envelope performs as intended in terms of minimizing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This, in turn, contributes to reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling, leading to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental impact.