Properly Insulated Metal Buildings Address Global Warming
By Blaine Bancks, HIGH-R, Inc.
We all have heard that the Earth’s climate is changing. Global warming, resulting from our obsession and reckless use of fossil fuels, is melting the polar icecaps at rapid pace and breaking down our ozone. Scientists forecast that the average temperature of our world may increase 3.2 degrees F to 7.2 degrees F, depending on our ability to control emissions and concentrations of greenhouse gases.
The use of an effective insulation system in a facility that is climate controlled not only has immediate impact on the area’s productivity but also long term ramifications to our ever-changing environment. The importance is understanding the science of insulation, matching the right insulation system to the situation and understanding long-term effects of properly insulated facilities.
 |
The Freeman Lexus dealership in Santa Rosa, CA, features a HIGH-R insulation system. Click images to enlarge.
|
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
We all use air conditioners and fans to cool off during the summer. Likewise, we use furnaces, radiant and geothermal to warm facilities in the winter. The cooling methods are powered by electricity while heat is created in a number of ways. Power from the electrical grid is generated from several sources. Different locales use hydro generated electricity, some use wind generated electricity and others use diesel generated power sources to make the kilowatts needed to move the air or move the air over the condenser coils.
All of these sources require large amounts of capital outlay, maintenance and management. When we flip the switch, dial the thermostat down or plug in to the receptacle, energy flows. Energy is converted to modify the temperature and humidity within a space where we all eat, sleep or work. When that space is at optimum temperature and humidity the occupant efficiency is enhanced, the mood is more positive and life is good.
The technology of society allows us to alter the environment within a space to store perishable items, be more efficient and live close to the resources when the climate normally would be too harsh to support unconditioned living. But energy is a finite resource. The impact of our activities to the Earth’s environment needs to be taken into consideration when we design and rehabilitate our facilities. To be efficient and prudent, in the way we use resources and facilities, is no longer an afterthought but a requirement.
The building science of managing the space within is based on ambient temperature and relative humidity. The occupants’ comfort or the task being performed dictates the optimum levels. If the location is such that a significant number of heating degree days and cooling degrees days are generated, then the use of energy to modify the space is required. Knowing how to achieve effective energy efficiency by altering the building envelope is important.
The building envelope is made up of the walls, floor, foundation and roof. By sealing the building envelope from the passage of air, the transfer of energy from the outside environment to the inside environment, and managing the moisture in the air, we can improve the efficiency. Insulation of the complete building envelope can lower the amount of energy required to condition the space.
Understanding R-Value And Insulating Materials
The r-value is the unit of measurement of the resistance of the flow of energy from warm to cold. This property is the reason vapor barriers and insulation materials are used to slow the flow of energy. Different materials and systems have been developed to insulate or isolate the inside space from the outside world. The listed r-value can indicate the level of performance of the insulating materials. The r-value is achieved by tiny air spaces that slow conductivity of heat.
Popular types of insulating materials include fiberglass, which is comprised of spun-in organic glass fibers that employ millions of tiny air spaces to insulate; cellulose, comprised of ground paper products that are organic; and spray foam products of open-cell and closed-cell types. Each insulation material or system has unique qualities, r-values and price points to be considered. Each facility has its own use and location to consider when choosing the best insulation practice.
The standard amount of insulation prescribed before the energy crunch was a minimum to keep condensation under control when the dew point was reached. The standard “sweat blanket” has an effective r-value of r-7. The abundance and relative low-cost of the energy to climate control a space promoted low r-values. Today the search for insulation systems that have high r-values to lower energy use is the norm. Architects, Designers and Specifiers are using more than the minimum r-values in their projects. Facility owners and managers are upgrading low-performance insulation systems in existing facilities to use the insulation systems with the highest r-values. The trade off for the added investment in a top performing insulation system, compared to the lesser insulation system, is the lower monthly utility bill.
As mentioned before, certain locales use diesel powered generators to generate the electricity needed to run the air cooling units. These locations are found primarily in the islands. The Grand Cayman Island uses 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel per day to generate the kilowatts to power up the island. The cost for each kilowatt hour is $ 0.19 USD compared to our domestic rate of $ 0.09/ kwhr. Insulation for an island that has an average temperature of eighty-one degrees Fahrenheit and seventy percent humidity is crucial.
Finding A Solution
The predictions or fact of Global Warming and the energy situation being what we have today with high prices and large consumption, the solution is to design and specify the most energy efficient insulation system that can be found for the building envelope. To accomplish this task, several types and methods of insulating can be combined to maximize the r-value and performance. Design with the highest r-value and adjustments can be made in the sizing of the cooling units. These smaller cooling units will compound the effect of saving energy with the insulation system.
Energy models have projected that an effective r-value of r-40 will save forty percent of the energy required to cool a space that only has minimal insulation. Consideration to how the insulation materials are handled and installed can determine the effective r-value and performance of the insulation. Case in point, when fiberglass insulation batting is pinched between the roof panels and purlins, the effective r-value is less—due to the crushing effect on the air spaces. The “sweat blanket” standard falls into this category.
If improper densities are used when blowing cellulose or fiberglass blowing wool, the packing of the product within the space insulated in turn becomes detrimental to the effective r-value by pushing the fibers together and lessening the air spaces. Special care needs to be taken to install the insulation to avoid making the insulation a conductor of energy instead of a resistance product. The thought that more is better with insulation materials within a space is a common mistake made with respect to the effective r-values obtained. Keeping these ideas in mind will help to design, build and insulate the most efficient structures in warm climates where insulation can keep you cool and energy use efficient. The same will hold true for heating of a space in colder climates.
Careful consideration of the intended use of the facility. Knowing the amount of energy needed to condition the space. Aligning the proper design of the building envelope regarding insulation systems and types. All of these things can directly affect the productive use the life cycle of the facility and make our world last a little bit longer.
Blaine Bancks is National Sales and Marketing Manager for HIGH-R, Inc., headquartered in Ames, IA. HIGH-R develops, markets, and installs wall/ceiling insulation products. To contact Blaine, call (800) 292-2382 or email to bbancks@insulation.net. To learn more about HIGH-R, Inc., go to www.high-r.com.
To see other columns by Blaine or other columnists, click here.