ENERGY
We save our Customers Money While Protecting the Planet
INSULATION HAS THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT PERIOD!
Smart Energy Insulation offers finished projects with only the best, materials available in the industry that meets the needs of energy and environmental concerns. What sets us apart from the competition is the drive to do it better. In an industry based on competitive bidding practices we strive to go beyond just completing the project for our customer, we really care that the end user of the project gets the most out of the mechanical systems set as a minimum in the specifications, that offer energy and money savings for a short payback period, as well as energy and environmentally sound materials.
“Mechanical insulation systems, compared to surfaces without insulation, save more than 140 and up to 500 times more energy over their lifespans than it takes to produce them. Mechanical insulation also saves a minimum of 150 (and up to 750) times more CO2 emissions than it takes to produce the insulation product. This data proves beyond doubt that mechanical insulation is a sustainable, green initiative that provides an unparalleled ecobalance.” Courtesy of National Insulation Association.
Insulation is the key to increased energy efficiency — in commercial and residential buildings and in industrial applications, such as in the oil, gas a d chemical industry. When energy is generated, transported or stored, part of the valuable resource gets lost when the equipment is not or is poorly insulated.
Below some of the top materials used at Smart Energy Insulation to create projects with an energy efficiency and environmentally friendly atmosphere.
Think about this: For example, take a deaerator section and storage tank and all piping conveying hot water or steam. These systems should be adequately insulated to prevent the condensation of steam and loss of heat and money.
PAYBACK
Insulation alone is capable of cutting a building’s energy use by a third. So, as one of the world’s leading insulation companies, the most sustainable thing Insulation can do is make sure that more insulation goes into new buildings and more buildings get renovated. Below are two of most the most frequently used insulation materials. Each one is unique to their other and they have their own ideal applications. They do share a common trait of saving energy, money and the environment.
Use of Knauf Insulation products may help building projects meet green building standards as set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Specifying Knauf Insulation glass mineral wool insulation can put you on the right track for LEED certification.
Knauf offers more lines of Formaldehyde-Free Glass Mineral Wool Insulation products than any other insulation company.
Knauf leads the insulation industry in developing sustainable, low VOC products that utilize plant-derived chemistry.
Knauf was the first insulation company to earn the GREENGUARD Certification.
Knauf Insulation is UL Environment GREENGUARD Certified
All of Knauf product lines with ECOSE® Technology have been certified under the GREENGUARD Gold standard.
GREENGUARD Gold is designed to define low-emitting materials suitable for environments where people, particularly children and sensitive adults, spend extended periods of time. These environments may include schools, daycares, healthcare facilities, homes and commercial spaces.
Greenguard Certification is based on criteria used by:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
World Health Organization
U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
State of Washington
GREENGUARD Gold certification requirements assure compliance with the CDPH Section 01350 and allow the lower of:
No greater than 1/100th of currently-published Threshold Limit Values.
No more than half of California’s Chronic Reference Exposure Levels for volatile organic compounds (including formaldehyde).
While LEED credit requirements cover the performance of materials in aggregate, not the performance of individual products or brands, specifying Armacell elastomeric insulation products can contribute toward earning points needed to achieve various levels of LEED project certification.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Insulation is Key to Effective Indoor Air Quality Design
Insulation materials can either help defend against or contribute to indoor air-quality problems. This is particularly true of inside air-handling systems in which the insulation needs to resist moisture while ensuring that the air passing over it remains mold-, dust- and fiber-free. The same requirements also apply to insulation used over hot and cold piping systems.
Insulation’s primary purpose is thermal efficiency, but the wrong product could particulate fibers or off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor air, creating poor indoor breathing conditions. Other insulation materials can absorb moisture and condensation into the insulation, supporting the growth of mold and mildew. Any of these problems will significantly degrade the indoor environment.
The Right Insulation for IAQ
Armacell’s closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation products are fiber-free, non-particulating, and have low VOCs. They also will not wick or absorb moisture. For added resistance to the growth of mold, the entire AP-branded product line is made with antimicrobial protection. Most of the insulation products are third-party GREENGUARD Gold certified, the standard designed to define low-emitting materials suitable for environments where people — particularly children and sensitive adults — spend extended periods of time.
Moisture from condensation is a problem in any cold-piping or air-handling system. It can lead to system failure, callbacks, energy waste, mold problems and building closings. Only a closed-cell material like AP Armaflex elastomeric foam is specifically designed to prevent these problems.