New Energy Codes Create Healthier Living

Going “Green” and the LEED Movement

Many business owners today are more conscious of the products they want in their buildings with a growing trend toward the LEED Movement encouraged by the current IRS tax deductions. Some townships have modified their International Building Codes to force new building to increase water and energy efficiencies. TBS proudly builds to these new energy codes.

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  It is a rating system that encompasses a broad spectrum of criteria into a rating system.  Everything from location and footprint size to materials and the processes used to install them or recycle them are considered. LEED is also the only green type of certification that requires a third-party verification.

LEED needs to begin in the design phase using an architect or engineer that has been LEED certified by taking a variety of specialized classes that target specific parts of a building such as HVAC, plumbing, lighting, and site work. These licensed professionals work with various subcontractors to ensure that all possible efficiencies are utilized in designing the building.

LEED does require substantial record keeping and testing. Often materials and equipment needed are more expensive but the benefit is usually reaped in a few years worth of lower energy and water usage bills, improves health by reducing causes of asthma and other health issues, increases resale value and rents, reduces maintenance and improves productivity.

There are a variety of Web sites that discuss in greater detail the LEED movement including United States Green Building Council (USGBC) www.usgbc.org that go into greater detail.

Build Green with a New Metal Building

Metal construction has green characteristics such as recyclability and durability.  A strategically-designed metal building improves energy efficiency, reduces materials needed and can be more cost effective than other non-metal types of construction.

Roof and wall panels, structural members and other steel materials are virtually 100% recyclable. Steel currently has a 70% recycle rate and new steel made with recycled material uses less than 30% of the energy needed to manufacture new steel. Metal roof and wall panels consist of a minimum 25% recycled material and with additional structural members an entire metal building can contain 30 to 50% recycle material.

These roof and wall panels also reduce waste due to their durability and unmatched resistance to fire, wind and insects. The American Iron and Steel Industries reports that metal roofs last between 40-60 years and require less maintenance.

Getting the Most from Your Metal Building with Industrial Solar & Commercial Solar Systems

Metal Roofs – Cool Roof Rating Council

The CRRC is an independent, non-profit organization that maintains a third-party rating system for radiative properties of roof surfacing materials.

A cool roof reflects and emits the sun’s heat back to the sky instead of transferring it to the building below. “Coolness” is measured by two properties a) Solar Reflectance and b) thermal emittance. Both properties are measured from 0 to 1 and the higher the value the cooler the roof.  ENERGY STAR® requires a Solar Reflectance of .25 or higher for a steep slope (more than 2:12) and a value of .64 or higher for a low slope (2:12 or less) roofing. There are many benefits to a cool roof besides the energy savings and global warming mitigation. Cool roofs help to reduce the urban heat island effect and smog, improve occupant control, and comply with codes and green building programs.

Trimble-Brancy Structures offers “cool” paint colors for all our metal roof panels. When properly installed a cool roof can reduce energy consumption, providing significant cost savings and helping to offset Urban Heat Islands.

An urban heat island is an elevated air temperature in urban communities, relative to surrounding rural areas caused when vegetation is replaced by large sections of pavement or other dark, non-reflective surfaces.  These islands are believed to influence the temperature of the surrounding area but may also be responsible for higher pollutants in the air.

Many of the “cool” colors Trimble-Brancy Structures can offer meet the deflection of solar energy and reduction of surface heat levels required by LEED and ENERGY STAR to offset the heat island effect. This in turn helps to reduce the overall amount of energy a building will consume.

Metal Wall Panels – Insulated and Solar Collector Panels

Insulated Panels
These panels use a special foam insulation to provide superior R-values. The R-Value is the unit of measurement of apparent thermal resistance of the flow of energy from warm to cold and describes the rate that heat energy is transferred through materials. R-values are achieved by tiny air spaces that slow conductivity. Consequently, insulation with a higher R-value will be more effective than those of a lower rating. Insulated panels are ideal for temperature controlled building systems.

Solar Collector Panels
These panels function not only as a wall panel but also as a solar collector and fresh air heating system.  The panel is mounted a few inches from the buildings outer wall.  The precision perforations in the wall panels allow outside air to travel through the face of the panel.  The Solar heated air rises between two wall panels and enters the buildings ventilation system reducing energy costs through the winter.  In the summer these panels siphon heat off the surface of the building letting the air pull the heat as it rises off the building.  By-pass air dampers allow fresh air to be drawn into the building. 

These panels have been known to lower heating costs enough to achieve a 3 year payback.  By allowing more fresh air into the building the panel also reduces the potential for “sick building Syndrome.” They are perfect for both industrial solar and commercial solar use. Ask TBS what we can do to help you go green!

Exceed New Energy Codes with More Green Options

Lighting Systems
With the new energy codes and stricter lighting standards issued by the Federal Government, more buildings will be pushed toward the use of smart energy. In the U.S., commercial buildings and homes account for about 40 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. and the Department of Energy is targeting retrofitting existing buildings.

One way commercial and industrial buildings will be seeking to decrease energy consumption for lighting is through the use of skylights. New more technologically advanced lights are now available that offer better visible light transmittance and optimal light distribution, meaning the domed skylights often seen in commercial box style businesses will transmit that light into the store in a new manner that spreads the light over a greater area. These domed skylights are often used with computerized lighting controls that automatically dim or brighten electric lights depending on the time of day and weather conditions. 

Long Bay Systems
These are custom-engineered to accommodate structures requiring expanded areas of open floor space up to 65 feet while allowing for uncommon flexibility in architectural design.  This system can reduce building costs by using less material to cover a greater area. Open web truss sub-framing provides roof support and makes the installation of mechanical and electrical systems easer reducing costs by less bridging, fewer footings, and reduced column needs along with reduced footings required in the foundation.

The use of metal buildings also helps protect site habitat since the building is fabricated at a shop and merely assembled on site. Trimble-Brancy offers green options such as radiant heat, passive solar hot water systems, and passive solar heat systems to meet both industrial solar and commercial solar needs.