Improving Indoor Air Quality with SIPs

Recent studies show that the air inside a home can be more polluted than the air outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that 19% of all American households have one member with asthma and 40% of children will develop a respiratory illness. The short- and long-term effects of exposure to indoor air pollution range from irritated eyes and headaches to respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer. Building with SIPs panels significantly improves the indoor air quality of a structure.

Materials are not exposed during construction – In the typical stick-framed construction process, framing can take six weeks or more. During that time, the wood frame of the home is exposed to the elements where mold growth can begin. With SIPs construction, time to assemble the frame is reduced to several days and exposure to the elements is limited.

Buildings are tight – With SIPs panels, buildings are virtually air tight, minimizing air infiltration.

Ventilation is controlled – Because the SIPs building envelope is so tight, SIPs structures require a controlled ventilation system. A mechanical air exchange brings in and filters outside air, eliminating contaminants and allergens. Incoming air is also dehumidified, reducing the possibility for mold growth. With constant air replenishment, the indoor air quality in a SIPs home is inherently healthier.

iSips Green Built homes have heating and air systems that are designed specifically to maximize energy efficiency and provide superior air quality for the SIPs environment. iSips works with qualified raters to achieve the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS certification. Construction specifications for this rigorous certification include the careful selection of and installation of moisture control systems; heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems; combustion-venting systems; radon resistant construction; and low-emitting building materials. Contact us for more information on building green, healthier residential and commercial structures.

Building Green is More than Materials Selection

Sure, using low VOC paint and recycled countertops contribute to a green construction project, but building green is a total systems approach that starts with the building envelope.

Start with a better structure – With traditional stick-frame construction, structures typically have R Values of R-15. The R Value of a structure framed with wall and roof Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) have R Values that can reach R-45. SIPs panels are highly insulated and tightly sealed, meaning the structure has far fewer areas of thermal loss and air infiltration and requires half the capacity to heat and cool.

Add energy-efficient systems – The next step is to plug green mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems into the tightly-sealed, highly-insulated building envelope. With a SIPs structure, the HVAC system is specifically designed for the SIPs environment and typically requires only half the tonnage as the same size stick-framed structure. Additional resource savings are accomplished with efficient plumbing systems, tankless hot water heaters and low-voltage wiring. Combined with the SIPs envelope, owners can expect a 50-70% reduction in energy consumption and costs.

Add energy-producing systems – New technologies in geothermal, solar and wind allow structures to reach a “Net Zero Energy” level—annually, the structure produces as much energy as it uses. Today, reaching Net Zero is feasible for single family homes and is not cost prohibitive.

Interior product selection – With a better structure, energy-efficient and even energy-producing systems, you’ve reached the “pot of green” at the end of the rainbow and interior materials contribute incrementally. Energy Star appliances, recycled materials, water saving fixtures and low VOC paints are the finishing touches to building a green structure.

iSips Green Built guides clients through all aspects of the green building process, always starting with the most energy-efficient, high performance building material available—Structural Insulated Panel Systems. Contact us for more information on building green residential and commercial structures.