residentual energy efficient building envelope design

For example, the average monthly energy savings on the net-zero home will be significantly greater than the added monthly mortgage payment cost.

And the certification process itself runs about $5,000, but the costs can be recouped through rebates and long-term energy efficiency. (Shutterstock)īuilding high-performance, energy-efficient passive homes costs more - about five to 10 per cent more than a similar-sized home built to code, after incentives. Excess energy may be stored in batteries or sent to the electrical grid. Many net-zero homes use solar photovoltaic panels to produce energy for lighting, heating and cooling systems, hot water and appliances. Globally, passive house construction has exceeded 30,000 and is increasing as people seek cost benefits, ways to protect the climate and contribute to a healthy living environment.Īs Canada and other countries around the world look for ways to decrease their dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions to tackle climate change, the housing and construction industry has been identified as one area that can have an almost immediate impact. It is now the world’s most energy-efficient building standard. “Net-Zero” and “Passive House” are certification labels for ultra-low energy buildings that use very little energy to heat and cool them.Īlthough the origins of the passive house date back to the 1970s, its popularity only began to spread in the past decade or so. Only if you looked at the utilities bill would you know. Even from the inside, the only visible clues are thick walls and deep windowsills. Whatever your project’s unique needs are, we are sure to find a solution.From the street, you wouldn’t be able to tell a net-zero or passive house from any other recently built home. Interested in learning more about how Atlas can help you create an energy-efficient building envelope? Reach out to one of our team members today. And our service-oriented sales and technical experts are readily available to discuss design, customization and testing services needed to meet your specifications. ThermalStar can even be cut and shaped to fit virtually any space or design, guaranteeing an uninterrupted thermal barrier.Ītlas can provide your space with energy-efficient materials while still offering great quality products. ThermalStar Wall Insulation boards come in various sizes, thicknesses and R-values to provide a perfect fit for any project. With the nation’s largest manufacturing footprint and the capability to both block and shape mold, Atlas Molded Products can provide high-quality EPS solutions coast-to-coast, whatever the project demands. It can also be recycled at the end of its life, making Atlas ThermalStar products an environmentally-friendly insulation solution. EPS insulation has low global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). The insulating cells of the EPS insulation boards simply contain air - no other harsh chemicals or additives are used. ThermalStar Laminated Wall Insulation has a facer pre-attached to the insulation boards to provide airtightness and weather resistance barrier properties. They are manufactured under an industry-leading quality control program and rigorously tested to meet or exceed strict industry standards.

Most of the EPS products from Atlas provide continuous insulation for maximum efficiency.Ītlas ThermalStar® Rigid Insulation products provide stable R-value over the entire span of its life. And when a weather-resistant barrier facer is added to EPS insulation panels, there is no need for a separate WRB product to be added after insulation is installed, saving time, money and labor on the project.Ītlas Molded Products is the nation’s largest EPS manufacturer, and our EPS insulation solutions are primarily focused on and developed for commercial structures. The integrated facer of laminated insulation products ensures the structure is sealed and protected.

Weather-resistant barriers are also resistant to harsh elements and weather conditions. This facer prevents rotting, mold, condensation and other pollutants from deteriorating the structure. In addition, the same facer on certain laminated insulation products that act as an air barrier component also protects the building from moisture seeping into the wall cavities. The closed-cell nature of EPS insulation reduces absorption and migration of moisture, which helps keep water vapor from seeping into the structure. These barriers keep water and moisture from penetrating the building. Weather-resistant barriers (WRB) provide protection to the building envelope from rain, water vapor and bulk water. That is why weather-resistant barriers are vital to the health and longevity of a building. A structure with no moisture control can easily begin to grow mold and rot away in a very short period of time.

Residentual energy efficient building envelope design