Benefits of Eco Friendly SIPS Panels

SIPS Save Resources

The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the construction of a 2000 sq. ft. home produces 7,000 lbs. of waste. Structural insulated panels require less energy and raw materials to produce when compared to other structural building techniques and have the ability to drastically reduce waste generated during construction by being fabricated to specifications on a per job basis. The two primary components, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Oriented Strand Board (OSB), are both manufactured with the utmost consciousness for resource conservation.

EPS, the type of insulating foam core used inside of structural insulated panels, is composed of 98% air and requires a minimal amount of petroleum byproduct to produce. Scrap EPS, created in the manufacturing process, is easily recycled into new EPS products.  OSB, produced from harvesting young, underutilized, and renewable trees, helps to alleviate the negative impact that deforestation has on the environment. Approximately 85-90 percent of a log can be used to make high quality OSB and the remainder is easily converted into energy, pulp chips, or bark dust.

SIPS Save Energy

Insulation is a key component of any energy-efficient home or commercial building. The foam insulation used in SIPS is extremely effective because it is solid and consistent throughout the home. This advantage of structural insulated panel construction results in energy savings of 50% or more. Conventional stud framing/fiberglass construction is vulnerable to thermal bridging with heat escaping along the studs. The proven results of SIPS energy performance can be seen from our test home in Louisville, KY. We have tracked its energy use since 1986 with separate utility meters. The home has 3,000 SF, 42 windows, and 11 skylights.

FischerSIPS Test Home

Energy Cost Per Month To Heat and Cool
Trane Company estimate Louisville Gas and Electric Estimate Actual 6 Year Average $94 per month $105 per month $44.79 per month Owners concerned with the “payback” on a SIP home regularly find that the utility savings are so great, they surpass incremental mortgage payments.  Additionally, SIP homes often net a higher appraised value. SIP homeowners can see as much as $25 or more for every dollar of annual energy savings.

SIPS Save Time

SIPS homes have been shown to go up 30% faster than other less efficient building systems.  Because the majority of fabrication takes place in the SIP manufacturing plant, SIPS homes eliminate the hassle of framing, sheathing, and insulating, and combine the three into one simple energy-efficient product. The reduction in labor hours results in a significant cost savings for home builders.

SIPS Improve Air Quality

A home built with SIPs creates an airtight building envelope that limits incoming air to controlled ventilation, resulting in optimal indoor air quality.  Controlled ventilation removes harmful contaminants, allergens, and humidity from the air present inside the house. The solid, continuous design of insulated panels coupled with the dehumidifying properties of modern ventilation eliminates all possibilities of mold growth within the structure. Not only will your home have a more comfortable indoor environment, but the solid insulation within the walls greatly lessens the avenues for sound waves to travel. With less voids within the insulation, SIPS homes have been shown to be significantly quieter, reducing noise transfer between floors, interior walls, and exterior walls.