Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - How SIPs Lead the Way
SIPs offer a climate-friendly solution to mitigate embodied carbon emissions while enhancing energy efficiency throughout a..
The construction and operation of buildings has a significant impact on the environment. Buildings account for 39% of total U.S. energy usage and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions. Sustainable buildings use less energy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and playing an important role in combating global climate change. Buildings also use a tremendous amount of natural resources to construct and operate. Constructing sustainable buildings that use these resources more efficiently, while minimizing pollution that can harm renewable natural resources, is crucial to a sustainable future.
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are one of the most airtight and well-insulated building systems available (more on this here), allowing for better control over indoor environmental conditions. Reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling throughout a building's life is SIPs’ most substantial contribution to preserving the environment.
Year after year, SIP buildings consume less energy than comparable stick frame structures. Building with SIPs creates a superior building envelope with high thermal resistance and minimal air infiltration. Time and time again, SIPs structures are between 40-60% more energy efficient than outdated framing methods.
An Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) whole-wall r-value study shows that a 4-inch SIP wall (nominal) rated at R-14 outperforms a 2×6 stick framed wall with R-19 fiberglass insulation, as follows:
Year after year, SIP homes and buildings simply consume and emit far less energy than comparable stick frame structures.
Read more about the science behind SIPs' ability to reduce a structure’s energy consumption in our spotlight on SIPs and thermal bridging and continuous insulation.
The major components of SIPs, EPS Insulation and oriented strand board (OSB), take less energy and raw materials to produce than other structural building systems. SIPs are fabricated in a controlled factory environment, where materials are optimized with precision equipment allowing for greater material efficiency than site-built framing:
The NAHB estimates that the construction of a 2000 sq. ft. home produces 7,000 lbs. of waste. SIPs have the ability to drastically reduce the waste generated during construction by using advanced optimization software and automated fabrication technology to ensure the most efficient use of material.
Outdated site framing, including measuring and cutting lumber, is typically associated with dumpsters of wood scrap (waste) and disposal costs. Superior SIPS building envelopes are factory fabricated, eliminating the waste of job site framing; as a result, Premier SIPS regularly reduces construction waste by 30%.
Additionally, waste generated in Premier’s production facilities (both OSB Structural Sheathing and the EPS Engineered Insulation) is recycled, a rarity for waste generated on job sites.
SIPs offer a climate-friendly solution to mitigate embodied carbon emissions while enhancing energy efficiency throughout a..
Opting for SIPs not only results in high-performing buildings that are stronger and healthier, but it also opens the door to..
Since buildings consume 80% of our energy, it makes sense that we want to try to reduce the energy required to heat and cool..
As the oldest manufacturer in the SIPs industry, Premier’s SIP system is the proven prefabricated building envelope framing system for your next commercial or residential structure. Faster, stronger, and greener than outdated lumber framing methods, SIPs are the future of framing. Join the other thousands of structures built with SIPs, and contact the expert in your local region to get started.