# Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation for Domestic Cooling Footprint Reduction: A Review
## 8 Discussion  
The drive for sustainable and energy-efficient building practices has led to a heightened exploration of innovative insulation materials capable of reducing residential cooling impacts. At the core of this endeavor lies the recognition that thermal conductivity profoundly influences insulation effectiveness. A comprehensive examination of existing literature illuminates the promise held by mycelium-based thermal insulation, showcasing notable thermal conductivity values ranging from 0.03 to 0.081 W/m\(\cdot\)K [18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 81]. Remarkably, these values align with and sometimes exceed those of commercially available traditional insulation materials. Comparatively evaluating mycelium-based insulation against conventional insulation materials assures its viability as an eco-conscious alternative. When compared with commercial insulation materials such as glass fiber (0.03-0.04 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [82], mineral wool (0.03-0.04 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [83], expanded polystyrene (0.036-0.054 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [83], extruded polystyrene (0.034-0.044 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [83], cellulose (0.04-0.066 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [83], cork (0.04-0.05 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [83], and polyurethane (0.02-0.03 W/m\(\cdot\)K) [83], mycelium-based insulation emerges as a competitive thermal performer, often positioned within the lower end of the thermal conductivity range. This parity in thermal conductivity confirms the potential of mycelium-based insulation as a technologically advanced counterpart to conventional materials, thereby supporting its integration within sustainable architectural frameworks. Beyond thermal conductivity, insulation efficacy encompasses the concept of specific heat capacity. Within this context, mycelium-based insulation exhibits a distinct characteristic with specific heat capacity values ranging from 7.4 to 10.2 kJ/kg\(\cdot\)K [81]. This particular feature positions mycelium-based insulation in sharp contrast to its established commercial counterparts. While glass fiber and mineral wool exhibit specific heat capacities of 0.8 kJ/kg\(\cdot\)K [84; 85] and expanded polystyrene registers 1.5 kJ/kg\(\cdot\)K [86], mycelium-based insulation stands out due to its elevated specific heat capacity. Even when compared to polyurethane, characterized by specific heat capacities spanning 0.2359  
Figure 6: Accumulated GHG emissions throughout insulation material manufacturing [80]. to 0.2996 kJ/kg\(\cdot\)K [87], mycelium-based insulation displays a noteworthy capability for heat energy storage. Mycelium, a natural and renewable material, holds promise as a thermal insulation material due to its low environmental impact and potential to replace conventional synthetic insulators. However, its suitability for thermal insulation in hot and arid environments presents notable limitations. The effectiveness of mycelium as a thermal insulator hinges on its ability to resist the transfer of heat, and its performance may vary based on specific environmental conditions, such as high temperatures and low humidity prevalent in hot and arid climates. The existing experiments have primarily focused on temperate environments, leaving a significant gap in understanding their behavior and efficiency under extreme heat conditions. To address this gap, there is a need for rigorous simulation studies that model the behavior of mycelium-based insulation in hot and arid climates. These simulations could incorporate factors such as temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and solar radiation, enabling the estimation of its thermal performance and energy-saving potential in such challenging environments. By conducting virtual tests, researchers can forecast how much mycelium insulation can effectively reduce heat transfer, providing valuable insights into its viability for these specific regions. Moreover, these simulations can estimate the potential reduction in energy consumption and associated costs, thereby facilitating informed decision-making for architects, builders, and policymakers.