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This Month: The Truth About Performance of Structural Insulated Panels
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Feature Article
Structural Insulated Panels: The Studless Way to Eliminate Energy Robbers and Boost Insulating Power
Just a few studs in the wall. It seems like such a small part of your building project. But did you know that eliminating those studs by using structural insulated panels (SIPs) instead of conventional framing techniques significantly cuts energy demand and operating costs?
In a study supported by the National Research Council of Canada, Dr. Tony Shaw of Brock University analyzed the energy consumption of two nearly identical, new homes built side-by-side. The home built with SIPs maintained its R-value through wintertime conditions, but the home with 2x6 wall studs insulated with R-19 fiberglass batts performed at only R-4 because of air movement within the wall cavities. In fact, the stud-wall home lost over 60 percent more energy than the SIPs home, while the SIPs structure cost less than 5 percent more to build.
Contrary to popular belief, walls account for more energy loss than any other part of a building. Jan Kosny, Ph.D., of Oak Ridge National Laboratory Buildings Technology Center, found that in residential buildings, heat transmission through walls is 8 percent greater than heat transfer through windows and a surprising 39 percent more than roofs. According to another study by Richard D. Seifert, heat escape through framing accounts for 33 to 49 percent of overall heat loss.
Thermal bridging and air leaks through wall studs can also lead to moisture build-up, mold, and mildew. Structural insulated panels eliminate the elements that rob a building of its insulating power, providing better air quality and stronger construction than conventional framing techniques.
Evaluate the Options
Assembled side-by-side without the interruption of studs, SIPs consume only half the lumber of stick framing. The panels sandwich high-density insulation between a skin of two oriented strand boards, which come from sustainable, fast-growing trees.
A finished home constructed with Thermocore SIPs  |
Some SIPs use expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation with an R-value of 3.5 to 4.0 per inch. Others, like Thermocore structural insulated panels, utilize polyurethane foam with an R-value of 6.0 to 7.0 per inch.
Used in commercial and residential construction for more than 40 years, SIPs work in walls and roofs for new construction and additions, on foundations ranging from poured concrete to blocks and insulated concrete forms. Still, some architects and builders hesitate due to flawed information. What's the truth?
MYTH: SIPs limit your design freedom.
REALITY: With panels up to 8x24 feet, you can design any shape or size building. Just supply your architectural drawings or CAD files to the SIP manufacturer. After you provide input and approval on the panel drawings, the SIPs arrive at your jobsite ready to install.
MYTH: SIPs create more work at the jobsite.
REALITY: Pre-configured, pre-engineered panels come numbered with double-spline, tongue-and-groove joinery for fast, simple assembly. Thermocore's crews erected the building envelope for a 3,000 square-foot home in just five days.
Some panels require custom building materials, but Thermocore's newly patented, four-inch-thick insulated panels accommodate standard window and door jambs; no extensions needed. Most SIPs include drilled electrical chases. Thermocore pre-installs electrical boxes and ¾-inch conduit based on the architectural drawings.
MYTH: SIPs cost more than traditional construction.
REALITY: With SIPs, faster construction and less labor equal higher productivity and lower costs. For the owner, the initial panel cost typically adds about $10 to monthly mortgage payments-but studies show savings of $80 to $120 per month in energy costs. One homeowner in central Kentucky built a 44 percent larger home with Thermocore structural insulated panels, yet reduced heating and cooling costs by 61 percent over his previous stick-built home, saving $115 every month.
SIPs that require trimming at the jobsite involve some waste, but when they're custom-designed at the factory, any leftovers in the production process get recycled into the next order, cutting costs and virtually eliminating waste at the jobsite.
MYTH: R-values always shrink in actual use.
REALITY: According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, conventional fiberglass insulation does, in fact, lose 30 percent of its R-value once you take it out of the bag and put it in the wall. But studies conducted by the same organization on polyurethane panels showed no measurable loss of R-value, even in the field. For instance, Thermocore's insulated wall panels maintain R-24 and roof panels sustain R-40 values. Through the use of thermal imaging, Thermocore even verifies the energy performance of each structural insulated panel before it leaves the plant.
The Next Generation of Studless Construction
If you stay away from structural insulated panels because of inaccurate rumors, you'll miss a whole new way to cut energy demand and improve air quality. Start with the energy-efficient, draft-free building envelope provided by SIPs and you'll get more value from your other sustainable features.
Patrick
Egan is president ofThermocore Panel Systems, Inc. The company, a USGBC Indiana Silver Sponsor headquartered in Mooresville, recently earned a patent for its next-generation, four-inch polyurethane SIP, the first in the industry to accommodate standard door and window jambs, eliminating the need for costly jamb extensions while providing R-24 insulation. The company also produces polyurethane roof panels and 6 1/2-inch wall panels with an R-value of 40. To learn more, visit www.thermocore.com or contact Pat Egan at (317) 831-8888 or pegan@thermocore.com.
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From the Chair
Whether we want it to or not, the school year is starting and the summer is coming to an end. Don't worry, the heat hasn't let up yet. Our chapter turns its eye toward Indiana's school buildings. The proven benefits of green schools are dramatic with the objective to lower operating costs, freeing up resources to truly improve students' education. Yet Indiana trails many of our surrounding states (Ohio, Kentucky, etc) in the construction of green schools. Our chapter kicks off an effort to educate and promote green schools in the state. Anyone wanting to make a change should participate in our Green School Advocate committee. Rosemary Rehak, a education professional, is organizing volunteers. For more information please contact Rosemary at RRehak@csoinc.net.
Luke Leising, AIA, PE, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Chair
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USGBC Indiana Chapter News & Events
Central Branch Joint Program with CSI:
Thursday, August 19th
 Please join the Central Branch for a joint program with CSI on Thursday, August 19th.
The presentation addresses the fundamental design considerations of daylighting provided by Unit Skylights. Skylight components are addressed as well as the integration of artificial lighting. Skylight location and placement are looked at in relation to the climate, interior space and Daylighting needs.
Properly designed use of Daylighting and integrated light fixtures provide substantial energy savings. Natural Daylighting has proven to increase student test scores, increase retail sales and promote wellness.
New energy efficient glazing materials utilizing Aerogel are also part of the presentation.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, August 19th
Time: Social hour begins at 5:30 PM.
Dinner around 6:15 PM.
Presentation begins at 7:30 PM.
Location: Riverwalk Banquet Center
6729 Westfield Blvd. (Broad Ripple)
Indianapolis, IN
See location in Google Maps
Cost: $20 for non-CSI members
Parking: Free parking
Register: http://csiindy.org/
2nd Annual USGBC Indiana Chapter
Northeast Branch Golf Outing
Monday, August 23rd
The Northeast Branch of USGBC Indiana will be holding their 2nd Annual Golf Outing on August 23, 2010 at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Fort Wayne. The goal of this outing is to raise funds for the Northeast Branch and to promote the benefits of becoming a member of the USGBC. (Rain date is August 30th.)
The day's events will include: - 11:00 AM open registration, with a shotgun start @ 12:30 PM.
- Box lunch w/ drink will be provided. (Beverage carts will be circulating through out the day.)
- Buffet dinner featuring BBQ ribs & chicken will follow immediately after golf.
- A brief presentation on the benefits of becoming a member of the USGBC.
- LOTS of give-a-ways and door prizes.
Event information is as follows:
Date: Monday, August 23rd
Time: Shotgun start at 12:30 PM
Location: Coyote Creek Golf Club
4935 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46818-1934
See location in Google Maps
Register: Click here to access the event registration flyer.
Northeast Branch Program: LEED for Homes Tour
Wednesday, September 1st
Tour and Panel Discussion on Design Features, Architectural Products, Mechanical Systems, Building Shell, and Finishes.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday September 1, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM - Registration and
Networking;
6:00 PM - Tour & Panel Discussion from Design
Team & Suppliers
Location: 1957 County Road 68
Auburn, Indiana 46706
See location in Google Maps
Parking is limited, we have a bus shuttle available.
Cost: Individual Chapter Members - $5
Non-Members - $10 (Cash at the door)
Appetizers and Cash Bar Available
Register: http://usgbcin20100901ne.eventbrite.com/
Register by Wednesday, August 25th, to receive one FREE drink ticket.
Northeast Branch Program:
LEED for Contractors (Panel Discussion)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
LEED
for Contractors (Panel Discussion): What general contractors,
subcontractors, and vendors need to know about building LEED projects -
from estimating/bidding, through construction, and project closeout.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM - Registration and
Networking;
6:00 PM - Panel Discussion
Location: Holiday Inn at the Coliseum
4111 Paul Shaffer Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Individual Chapter Members - FREE
Non-Members - $10
Register: http://usgbcin20101007ne.eventbrite.com/
Free drink ticket for early RSVP (by September 30)
USGBC Indiana Chapter Holiday Gala
Wednesday, December 1st
 SAVE THE DATE - This year's USGBC Indiana Chapter Holiday Gala will be held on December 1st at the Allison Mansion on the grounds of Marian University, Indianapolis.
Please check the newsletter and website
in the coming months for updates.
USGBC Indiana Chapter on Flickr
 USGBC-IN has established a freely accessible
photostream on flickr. Click here to find out more.
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Join USGBC-IN Today!
Join the Indiana Chapter of USGBC today to enjoy the many benefits of membership that help your organization stay competitive, grow your business, and make the best contacts in the green building industry.
Indiana Chapter members receive the following benefits:
- Member-only discounts and networking events - local event fees are discounted for chapter members. Monthly meetings are free!
- Get a fantastic array of green building tools and educational resources.
- Be noticed - membership sets your organization apart.
- Build relationships in the local construction industry.
- Meet, learn and network with other building professionals who share the same passion for green building.
- Benefit from company and individual names being listed in one of the largest directories of green building practitioners and supporters via the USGBC National website and our local chapter homepage.
- Get involved - help build much-needed awareness for green building in Indiana.
- Be recognized as a leader in supporting a better built environment.
- Shape and proactively promote local green initiatives through chapter and committee involvement.
- Vote in local chapter business/issues.
Sign up today and receive a one-year membership:
$65 for regular membership, $50 for national members, $25 for students.
For more information regarding USGBC Indiana, please visit our web site at usgbc-in.org.
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Indiana Green Building Events Greenbuild
2010: Registration Now OpenExpo Date: November 17 - 19, 2010As one of the first cities to adopt LEED for public buildings and the city that is home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other, Chicago is truly committed to leadership as a "next-generation" city - the perfect place for us to celebrate being part of Generation Green. Registration to Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago is now open. Please visit: http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/
Greenbuild 2010: Looking for Volunteers
Expo Date: November 17 - 19, 2010
Join us at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago, and engage in the conversation we must have to bring green to everyone, and everyone to green. The success of Greenbuild is due in no small part to the efforts of the many volunteers who give their time and energy each year towards organizing and staffing the event. We are excited to present you with this opportunity to take part in this great event. The time that you will be volunteering is greatly appreciated and we will do everything that we can to make your volunteer and conference experience a meaningful one. RequirementsVolunteers must be a full-time college student or professional age 25 and under. You must volunteer a minimum of eight hours of volunteer time. What You Receive Once Your Time is Filled For your efforts, you'll receive free admission as a student to the conference which will provide exciting educational opportunities on the latest in the green building movement and amazing networking opportunities. Now What?Volunteers can sign up for shifts when registration for Greenbuild 2010 opens this summer. Learn more about volunteering at the event by joining our distribution list and filling out this form. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB229YZJRES72 To find this link, you may also visit our Chicago Chapter website at www.usgbc-chicago.org, click on Greenbuild FAQs. If you have questions about volunteering, please email volunteers@usgbc-chicago.org.
Greenbuild 2010: "I Am Generation Green" Video Blog
Expo Date: November 17 - 19, 2010
 USGBC is proud to introduce
the Greenbuild 2010 "I Am Generation Green" video blog! The green building community
is at the core of our best hope for redefining our future, and this year especially - as economic, environmental and social opportunities converge more than ever before - we hope
you're taking this year's theme to heart. "Generation Green: Redefining Our Future." Every day, in ways big and small, our community is taking important steps to redefine our future.
Send us your videos! What are you doing to redefine our future? We're not looking for expensive, well-produced videos. Your ideas can be simple or profound, general or specific. Just tell us, in 30 seconds or less, how you are building a future of economic, environmental and social prosperity. You are Generation Green, and your ideas will inspire the world to act today. And they may be featured at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago!
Please visit the video blog at:
http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/GenGreen
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Indiana Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Mayor Greg Ballard Announces
Green Building Incentive Program
Author: Molly Deuberry
Source: SustainIndy, City of Indianapolis
Date
Written: 7/30/2010
MAYOR GREG BALLARD ANNOUNCES
GREEN BUILDING INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Green building incentives help to make Indianapolis one of the
most sustainable cities in the Midwest
INDIANAPOLIS - Under the direction of Mayor Ballard, the Office of Sustainability has partnered with the Department of Code Enforcement to develop a green building incentive aimed at encouraging more sustainable buildings in Indianapolis.
"Green buildings are an important component of a more sustainable Indianapolis. With this new green building incentive, our desire is to increase the number of green, or sustainable, buildings in Indianapolis, moving us closer to being one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest," said Mayor Greg Ballard.
The green building incentive program is designed to incentivize property owners and developers to renovate and/or construct new buildings in a sustainable manner, and is the first of its kind in Indianapolis. The program allows for building projects to receive up to a 50% rebate on all building permit fees associated with the green project. The incentive encourages building owners and developers to integrate sustainable design techniques and practices into building projects.
To qualify for the rebate, projects must meet specific criteria that equate to measurable benefits to building owners, occupants, and citizens of Indianapolis. The criteria, although principally based on LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council), do not require a building to be LEED-registered or LEED-certified. However, a building project that is seeking LEED-certification of any level will qualify for all or part of the rebate.
Kären Haley, Director of the Office of Sustainability, states, "In 2009, we announced the creation and availability of the Green Supplemental Document. Now, with the green building incentive, we are catapulting green building forward in Indianapolis. This green building incentive puts Indianapolis on par with other major cities in the U.S. who are encouraging green building techniques."
Allyson Pumphrey, Project Manager of Green Buildings and Green Infrastructure, noted, "Green buildings benefit the building's occupants because they typically use less energy and water and thus have lower operating costs than traditional buildings. They also reduce storm water runoff, reduce construction waste, and utilize renewable materials and energy sources, all of which benefits our local environment."
The incentive rebate becomes effective on August 1, 2010. All building projects that pursue building permits on or after August 1, 2010 are eligible to receive the rebate.
For more information on the criteria, process, and rebate qualifications, visit the Office of Sustainability website at www.sustainindy.org. Specific information about the green building incentive can be found here: http://sustainindy.org/green-building-incentive.cfm.
To learn more about Mayor Ballard's vision of making Indianapolis one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest, visit www.sustainindy.org.
Read more...
Indiana's wineries go green
Author: CustomPubs
Source: Green.Indy
Date
Written: 7/12/2010
"Shopping for local foods led us to meeting Dave and Patty Barrickman, owners of Wildflower Ridge Honey Farm in Anderson," Agnew said. "They taught us to keep bees to pollinate our own gardens and produce honey for personal consumption. We had more honey than we could sell or give away, so we began making mead, a honey-based wine."
Read more...
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Add Your LEED Projects to USGBC-IN.org
Submit Your LEED Certified Projects
USGBC Indiana is in the process of adding in-state LEED certified projects to the website's "Green Projects" showcase. If
you would like to submit your LEED certified
project, please complete the Green Project Profile
form and submit entries to info@usgbc-in.org.
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National USGBC News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
GBCI Takes Closer Control of LEED Reviews
Author: Tristan Roberts
Source: GreenSource
Date Written: 7/19/2010
GBCI was spun off from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2008 to run the LEED certification process, as well as the accreditation of LEED professionals. In turn, GBCI hired outside "Certification Bodies," or CBs, to perform the LEED reviews, while it managed the overall process. Now, GBCI is taking over those reviews directly, both through hiring to increase its own capacity, and through contracting with LEED reviewers-a closer arrangement that has more in common with the earlier USGBC-run system than with the more recent system of CBs.
Read more... |
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From the Editor
We Are Generation Green
With Greenbuild 2010 just three months away, the promo campaign is officially on! If you've read this far into the newsletter, you have seen much evidence of this. The Indiana Chapter is working hard to promote this year's event because it's right in our backyard in Chicago. Unlike last year's event in Phoenix or next year's in Toronto, this year's event is very accessible to Hoosiers. If you can go, I would encourage you to attend this year's event.
One of the more curious components of this year's campaign is the "I Am Generation Green" video blog. It's filled with short video uploads of personal testimonials from people involved in various disciplines describing what they are doing to build a future of economic, environmental and social prosperity. The blog underscores the point that every little bit counts toward building a greener future for all. The aggregate effect of our efforts can amount to something larger than any one of us. Believe in the potential of mankind. Together, we can accomplish anything.
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
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Calendar at a Glance
August
September
1:
USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Program
Location: Auburn, IN
15:
USGBC-IN Central Branch Program
Location:
Indianapolis, IN
October
7: USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Program
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
20:
USGBC-IN Central Branch Program
Location:
Indianapolis, IN
November
17 - 19: Greenbuild 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Please email your event notices to the Editor. Thank you!
All dates are subject to change. For a complete list of upcoming events, please log-in to usgbc-in.org.
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OUR SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor
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USGBC-IN is supported with a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development
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Partner Organization
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The Indiana Chapter of USGBC
invites you to support the activities of the chapter by becoming a
sponsor. As interest in green building gains momentum in Indiana,
there has never been a better time to become involved with and support
the Chapter.
Through communications, educational programs,
networking events, and advocacy work, we hope to educate and create
awareness of green and sustainable building strategies. Please
consider becoming an annual or program sponsor and joining our effort
for a better built environment.
There are several levels of sponsorships that are available. To receive a Sponsorship Registration Form, please contact Elizabeth C. Ellis, Executive Director.
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USGBC Indiana is now accepting individual donations. The Indiana Chapter is a non-profit organization solely funded by its membership through donations and sponsorships. If you would like to contribute to the organization, you can make a secure payment using PayPal. Individuals donating $50 or more will be recognized through USGBC-IN.org.
Click here to make a donation.
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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK
Let us know how we can improve the USGBC-IN newsletter. Contact Daniel Overbey, Communications Committee Chair.
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