DENVER – Energy efficiency has become a hallmark of green construction.
To assist today’s building professionals in constructing and designing
buildings that won’t sacrifice future resources, a new Internet-based
tool is available from the Portland Cement Association.
ConcreteThinker.com
is a unique clearinghouse of case studies, energy models, and other tools
to help make sustainable development a reality. A first in the industry,
the new Web site offers solutions for energy efficiency, disaster resistance,
indoor air quality, and more.
A continual theme throughout ConcreteThinker.com
is concrete’s superior ability to limit temperature fluctuations
relative to other traditional building materials, such as wood or steel.
For example, many “zero energy” homes are constructed with
insulating concrete forms (ICFs) where concrete is poured between foam
forms, creating a solid wall providing continuous insulation and a point
of attachment for interior and exterior finishes.
“Homeowners and building owners who choose concrete benefit from
solid, continuous and air-tight walls that prevent air leakage, the main
culprit of home energy loss,” said David Shepherd, director of sustainable
development for the Portland Cement Association.
“Consequently, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems
in concrete structures can be designed with smaller-capacity equipment,
decreasing construction costs by as much as $2,000 and saving thousands
of dollars annually in heating and cooling costs,” he added.
In addition to energy efficiency, ConcreteThinker.com
provides case studies and resources on other environmental benefits that
make cement-based products the building material of choice for green building,
such as:
- Thermal mass – Concrete is a high-density material
that acts like a thermal sponge. Buildings with exterior concrete walls,
also called mass walls, utilize less energy to heat and cool than similarly
insulated buildings with wood or steel frame walls.
- Green roofs – Due to the strength of concrete,
the thick layer of topsoil required to install a green roof can be supported
without any structural upgrades. Field studies in Ottawa, Ontario, found
that a 6 inch extensive green roof reduced heat gains by 95% and heat
losses by 26% compared to a reference roof.
- Pervious concrete – A fast-growing innovation
in outdoor hardscaping, pervious concrete allows water and air to pass
through it, enabling rainwater to naturally filter through to the ground.
In Denver, there are several pervious concrete sites that are helping
manage storm water all year long.
- Locally sourced – Unlike other building materials,
cement manufacturing is not tied to a specific type of environment,
allowing cement manufacturing facilities to be located throughout the
country. As a result, suppliers rarely have to travel long distances
to haul cement-based materials to building sites conserving fuel for
communities throughout the United States. At Greenbuild, PCA will release
case studies on two local projects: the CH2M Hill headquarters, a LEED
certified project in nearby Englewood, Colo., and the Denver Stapleton
Airport, both sites of Greenbuild 2006 Building Tours.
- Sustainable Manufacturing – In addition to
developing energy efficient building applications, the cement-based
products industry is constantly striving to develop new technologies
and processes to conserve energy throughout the manufacturing process
and reduce the industry’s environmental footprint.
More information about sustainable concrete solutions and PCA can be
found at Booth #1724 on Nov. 15-17, 2006, at Greenbuild 2006 in the Colorado
Convention Center.
About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement
companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development,
engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.
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