Is Your Metal Building Energy Compliant?: Tips From Expert Metal Building Insulation Suppliers

With the energy-efficient building market to develop at an 8.17% CAGR (by 2027), the concept of green in construction and architecture has claimed its space for good within the economy. Metal structures are a popular choice among architects and construction engineers due to their design flexibility, high value-to-cost while being cost-effective for practical and aesthetic purposes. With the site and labor costs rising each day, metal offers a more affordable solution for meeting large site requirements such as warehouse needs, contemporary-styled performing arts center, or even a traditional-style church. However, the impeccable conduction power of metal makes it difficult to keep the heat out. This makes the occupants and sensitive components stored within the building vulnerable to extreme temperature shocks or other types of damage.

This further makes building insulation more difficult while leading to higher energy consumption to maintain a comfortable environment. With governments worldwide putting an increased emphasis on zero-energy buildings, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) outlines a set of energy codes for all metal buildings. Here’s what you need to know:

Checking Compliance With The Energy Codes

The IECC sets ground rules and standards for states while outlining guidelines for building design, materials, and performance related to the energy efficiency of buildings and structures.  

The code covers every aspect of the building, including walls, windows, doors, panels, insulation, HVAC system, power and lighting, ventilation, and even air leakage.

Depending upon your regional zone ( location-wise segregation from 0 to 8 with eight being the coldest) and type of building, your energy requirements must be fulfilled.

Pro tip from our metal building insulation suppliers: Run an energy audit with the help of an expert to correctly estimate what’s costing you per month.

The standard formula for estimating energy compliance is the R/U ratio. R refers to the resistance of a material to let heat pass through it, and U refers to the amount of heat or cold passing through a system. The higher the R/U value, the better the energy standards.

Additionally, professional metal building insulation suppliers also use continuous insulation (ci) and linear systems (ls) on the exterior and interior of a metal building for adequate insulation.

With that being said, here are a few ways to make your metal building more sustainable and energy compliant:

• Install a cool roof to decrease the burden on your AC system.
• Plug air leaks to prevent the mixing of outer air with your inner environment.
• Invest in renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind turbines, and geothermal heating systems to reduce your dependency on electricity.
• Incorporate rainwater harvesting tanks and switch to tankless water heaters.
• Go for the highest R-value insulation to maximize energy savings and maintain a comfortable inner environment.

The points mentioned above are more of a generalized solution for energy compliance. Depending upon your building structure, location, and usage, a professional building contractor can provide more accurate suggestions as per the level of insulation needed by your building structure and combinations that will be more effective. Besides, it’s always cheaper to move under the proper guidance than to circle back and re-do them.

For expert assistance, reach out to us at +713-449-3430 or browse our website.