Efficiency of electric local heating of thermal bridges

For three different thermal bridges it is investigated whether from an energetic side of view a local heating of the affected areas is superior to an increased ventilation in order to prevent mould growth. For a common type of dwelling and a "basic" air change rate of 0.3 h-1, which results in mould growth on all three thermal bridges, it was examined which additional air change rate is necessary to prevent mould growth. Subsequently, heating cables were simulated at the thermal bridges and the energy as well as the primary energy consumption compared for both scenarios. It turns out that energy consumption is lower in the case of the heating cable at all thermal bridges. However considering the primary energy factor of the different energy sources the use of the heating cable is not always better.