# Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation for Domestic Cooling Footprint Reduction: A Review
## 5 Conventional Insulation Materials
### Phenol Formaldehyde
#### 5.2.2 Renewable Insulation Materials
Exploring the Promising Potential of Mycelium: A Sustainable Solution for Indoor Temperature Regulation, Particulate Matter Absorption, and Biodegradability  
Mycelium is a promising natural insulation material that has shown great potential in achieving thermal comfort in buildings. Its high energy performance compared to traditional insulation materials makes it an ideal option for sustainable building insulation. Mycelium-based insulation provides a natural and sustainable solution that effectively regulates indoor temperatures, reducing the need for cooling systems. By maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, mycelium insulation helps to reduce energy consumption in buildings and consequently lowers the carbon footprint associated with cooling. This innovative material is highly versatile and can be used in different climate conditions, making it a viable solution for various building types and designs. Additionally, mycelium-based insulation is environmentally benign, making it a more sustainable and eco-friendly option than traditional insulation materials. A study presents a novel method of producing mycelium thermal insulation material by growing _Pleurotus ostreatus_ on rye berries. To evaluate the impact of mycelium-composite bricks on building energy performance, the authors utilized the EnergyPlus software version 8.9.0 to simulate the heat and mass balance, building systems, and environmental conditions of various building types. They developed a typical residential building model consisting of one floor and four zones and implemented mycelium-composite bricks as the insulation layer in the external walls. Subsequently, the simulation results were compared with those of two conventional natural insulation materials: lightweight clay aggregate (LECA). They expanded vermiculite (EV), which has similar densities and thermal conductivities to the mycelium-composite bricks. This comparison was conducted for eight US climate zones, ranging from very hot to subarctic. The simulation results revealed several advantages of mycelium-composite bricks over LECA and EV in terms of building energy performance. Firstly, the mycelium-composite bricks reduced indoor temperature fluctuations by providing higher thermal inertia, allowing them to store more heat and release it slowly. This can enhance thermal comfort and decrease peak heating and cooling loads. Secondly, they reduced the total annual heating and cooling energy consumption by 5.6-18.8% and 1.9-13.6%, respectively, compared to LECA and EV. This can result in cost savings and conservation of energy resources for building owners and operators. Finally, mycelium-composite bricks reduced the total annual CO\({}_{2}\) emissions by 5.6% to 18.8% and 1.9% to 13.6%, respectively, compared to LECA and EV [20]. A study explores the potential of employing mycelium-composite panels as materials capable of adsorbing atmospheric particulate matter (PM). The researchers conducted a comparative analysis of PM adsorption effectiveness among four distinct mycelium composite types--hemp, rice straw, lacquer tree wood chips, and oak wood chips--as well as a conventional architectural material, Pocheon granite. Additionally, they investigate the surface micro-morphology of the panels using scanning electron microscopy and assess the panels' water absorption rate. The mycelium composites demonstrate notably improved PM adsorption capabilities compared to Pocheon granite, with variations in performance based on the substrate. The study also identifies a correlation between higher PM adsorption performance and elevated water absorption rates in the panels [12]. An additional research endeavor investigates the utilization of mycelium as an environmentally conscious substitute for air purification filters. The research introduces a computational model depicting an abstracted filter, varying pore sizes, and flow velocities and examines the interaction between pollutant particles and the mycelium's surface.