Energy Savings of a PolySteel Homeowner

TOP OF THE CLASS IN GREEN CONSTRUCTION IS EPS A recent article taken from the Daily News on www.prw.com explains in detail the performace of EPS and have included the article for your perusal. Expanded polystyrene has been rated a top green insulation material scoring"A Plusses" in a globally renowned construction industry environment guide.  The Green Guide to Specification is a publication providing guidence for specifiers, designers and their clients on the environmental impact of over 250 materials. The British Plastic Federation's EPS Construction Group welcomed the news and added that it would  help counteract a perception that EPS is damaging environmentally.  This idea has lingered since HCFCs - that cause ozone depletion - were used in the manufacture of EPS but this is no longer the case. The BPF EPS Group added that the material offered 'exceptional economy' when construction is under severe budget scrutiny.  BPF EPS Construction Group Chairman, Philip Cheshire said the Building Research Establishment, which publishes the Green Guide is internationally recognised as the authoritative voice in such matters.  He added: "Their  Green Guide is the bible for any architect or construction specifier who wishes to demonstrate that their selection of building materials minimises environmental impacts. In fact, EPS pays back far more than its minimal production impacts through savings in energy as the top insulation material in so many modern construction projects".  The Guide categorises materials according to their type and application and analyses them according to their environmental performance across thirteen impact assessments.  These range from climate change impact to stratospheric ozone depletion, ecotoxicity and fossil fuel depletion. EPS scored eight 'straight As' in each of the seperate impact ratings for each of the four densities measured.  EPS scored As, A+ or Bs in no less than ten of the thirteen environmental matrices. The Guide also gives a 'summary' rating and all four EPS densities scored the highest ratings (A+), meaning it had the lowest environmental impact.  The BPF EPS Construction Group added that EPS has a number of benefits that include: light weight, high impact resistance, high termal and accoustic barrier properties plus it is easily recycleable and non-toxic. As it is made in the UK, the Group added that producers can claim a zero ozone depleting potential and global warming potential.  www.epsconstructiongroup.com   PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms provide more energy efficient homes compared to homes built with timber-frame or traditional block and brick walls. PolySteel UK are confident that the energy savings to the homeowner are significant. PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms consists of three important factors:  1  The expanded polystyrene for greater insulation.  2  The thermal mass of the concrete.  3  The enormous reduction in air leakage.

The Cost of Energy in 2008 has never been higher to the consumer. Therefore when the opportunity presents itself to build in a means of reducing your energy bill, this ought not to be missed!

The Thermal mass of concrete
Poured concrete makes a seamless wall which has very dense properties.

Reduction in air leakage
Up to 33% of heat is lost through the walls in traditionally constructed buildings of block and brick. Every brick and block has a joint and these joints leak air. With a combination of Polystyrene as insulation and the dense properties of concrete air leakage is greatly reduced.

These three important factors mean that:

• No additional wall insulation required on build
• Smaller sized heating and cooling units are needed on initial installation
• Ongoing monthly fuel bills are reduced

So PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms save you money both on the build and the ongoing running costs of your home.

Fact: According to research by the Portland Cement Association in America, houses built with Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) require an estimated 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than comparable wood-frame houses. And the bigger the house, the bigger the savings.

Aswell as real savings in energy there are other benefits of owning a home built with PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's).