Energery Efficient
Construction

Energy-efficient building practices are essential for both environmental and economic reasons:

• Lower Utility Bills: A well-insulated and energy-efficient home or building reduces heating, cooling, and overall energy consumption, leading to lower utility bills for owners and tenants.

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Building energy-efficient structures helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to Washington’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change.

• Long-Term Investment: Energy-efficient buildings tend to have higher resale value, longer lifespans, and lower maintenance costs.

• Enhanced Comfort: Proper insulation, air sealing, and efficient systems lead to better indoor comfort, with more stable temperatures and better air quality. Energy-efficient buildings align with both local and global sustainability goals and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, ensuring a greener, more sustainable future.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are an advanced building material that significantly enhances the energy efficiency of homes and buildings.

• What Are SIPs? SIPs are high-performance building panels that consist of a layer of foam insulation sandwiched between two outer layers of structural board (often OSB - oriented strand board). These panels are used for walls, roofs, and floors.

• Superior Insulation: SIPs provide excellent insulation with a high R-value, reducing the need for additional insulation in walls and roofs.

• Air Tightness: The continuous insulation of SIPs creates an airtight building envelope, reducing air leaks and heat loss. This contributes to better energy efficiency and lower heating/cooling costs.

• Faster Build Times: SIPs are pre-manufactured and easy to install, reducing labor costs and construction time, which ultimately lowers the cost of building.

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Because SIPs help reduce energy consumption, buildings constructed with these panels are more sustainable over their lifespan. SIPs are ideal for those looking to build high-performance, energy-efficient homes or commercial buildings that meet Washington’s new energy codes.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are another building method that is gaining popularity for energy-efficient construction. ICFs are interlocking blocks made of expanded polystyrene foam that are filled with concrete to form the structure of walls and foundations.

What Are ICFs? ICF construction involves stacking foam blocks to create the walls of a building. The blocks are then filled with reinforced concrete, creating a solid, insulated structure that offers superior energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency Benefits:

• High Insulation Values: ICF walls are highly insulated, with a high R-value that prevents heat loss in the winter and keeps buildings cool in the summer.

• Thermal Mass: The concrete core of ICF walls has high thermal mass, which means it absorbs and stores heat, helping to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and reduce the need for heating and cooling systems.

• Noise Reduction: ICF construction also provides excellent soundproofing, making it a great option for homes and buildings in noisy environments.

• Strength and Durability: ICF buildings are extremely durable, offering protection against extreme weather conditions, such as earthquakes, high winds, and floods, which is especially important in areas like Washington State. ICF construction is an excellent option for homeowners or businesses looking to build energy- efficient, resilient structures that meet Washington’s updated energy codes.