The assessment of the input/costs and benefits (efficiency) of the use of different thermal insulation materials is becoming increasingly important. In such assessments, it is essential to consider not only economic aspects, but also the arising effects on the environment. Different methods exist for this purpose, including the internal rate of return (IRR), the payback period (PP) on the basis of the amount of energy saved and the resulting reduction in heating costs (economic assessment), as well as the ecological payback period (EPP) taking into account the amount of CO2 equivalents associated with the production of the insulation materials and the amount of avoided GHG emissions during their use phase (environmental assessment). The paper presents the determination and interpretation of a coefficient for the description and assessment of the eco-efficiency of thermal insulation materials. In future, the results of such environmental performance assessments should be available to both architects and clients. In this sense, a number of steps are also proposed pointing both governmental institutions and private sector in the direction of harnessing these possibilities.

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