Energy Efficient Buildings Become a Reality with Greensmart SIPs
Superior Insulation and air tightness are the two factors that determine a building’s energy efficiency. Recognized by building professionals as advanced wall systems SIPs have these factors built in, 30% more r-value and 4 times the air tightness. Considered to be North America's next generation building envelop system SIPs make it easier for builders to meet new requirements for energy-efficient benchmarks and that's why they have become the construction industries' fastest growing change in building technique.
Outstanding energy-efficient performance is also the reason that SIPs are recognized by National Resources Canada’s EnerGuide program.
EnerGuide For New Homes is a national program to standardize energy related building codes across Canada. The program identifies and measures the elements required to make a new home or building energy-efficient. In the case of EnerGuide for homes, the new home’s construction plan is evaluated for energy performance prior to construction beginning. After the home has been construction it is then tested to ensure it was built correctly. This information is documented and the building is permanently labeled to indicate its level of performance.
Under the EnerGuide rating system a home or building that is rated at 80 or higher is considered to have an excellent energy-efficiency rating. Building envelopes constructed with SIPs are recognized for their capability to achieve superior EnerGuide ranking. Every home built with Greensmart SIPs has achieved a EnerGuide 80 rating or higher.
Requirements for higher energy performance in walls and roofs can be easily achieved in new homes by substituting SIPs in place of fiberglass insulated stick built walls and roofs. Rated at R 26 a 6 1/2 inch SIP wall provides more than 30% higher insulation R-value than the same wall built with 2 x 6's and it has 4 times the air tightness. These two important factors are necessary for the high energy-efficient performance required by EnerGuide 80 and that's why they make any Greensmart SIP built structure eligible for NRC's EnerGuide 80 program.
Incentives for New Home Buyers and Commercial Buildings
Federal, provincial and some municipalities presently offer funding incentives for new homes and commercial buildings that achieve EnerGuide 80, LEED or other energy-efficient standards. New home buyers should investigate these programs when planning to build. New commercial construction builders should investigate the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) for potential funding.
Presently there are grants and incentives available fro new home buyers, builders and First Nation organizations.
Energy-efficiency and Lenders
Some Lending institutions now recognize the value of an energy-efficient home and what a reduction in energy cost means to a new home owner. Money not spent on a heating bill can go to mortgage payments and that means that previously ineligible borrowers can qualify for a new energy-efficient home.
