Most readers are aware that in the construction industry, there are many code requirements, mandated by the government to set a minimum requirement for a great deal of building and design aspects. These codes represent the bare minimum that must be done to be compliant, however the minimum is often not enough to make a true impact on such issues as energy efficiency and climate change.

Thanks to the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System and other “Beyond the Code” initiatives such as Architecture 2030, many specifiers, architects, and designers will recognize the increased minimum R-values as the new base for exceeding the code. As the newest ASHRAE 90.1 Standard is officially adopted into building codes by state and local governments, Atlas believes that it should be the minimum benchmark for going “Beyond the Code.”

PIMA describes the Environmental & Economic Benefits of using Polyiso below:

Buildings use one-third of the nation’s energy, two-thirds of the electricity and account for 40 percent of the country’s climate gas emissions.

As gas and energy prices increase, polyiso can cut building owners’ utility bills and help reduce pollution. A recent independent study (Barrels of Oil Study) found increasing the amount of polyiso insulation used on a roof by one inch beyond ASHRAE standards can save millions barrels of oil and reduce energy costs by billions. Using polyiso insulation saves money for contractors and building owners.

In addition to its energy-efficiency and environmental savings, polyiso cuts construction costs because of its adaptability with a variety of roof systems. Another study found polyiso insulation can save tens of thousands of dollars in installed costs when compared to other roof insulation materials. (Polyiso Insulation Cost Study). In fact, builders can increase the thickness of polyiso and improve the R-value of the building and still save money on first-cost installation when compared to minimal levels of extruded and expanded polystyrene.

Unlike other insulating materials, the R-value-per-inch of polyiso increases with thickness because of the unique closed-cell structure of the rigid foam boards. Because of its superior R-value and durability, buildings that use polyiso have lower heating and cooling costs.

The changes reflected in ASHRAE 90.1-2007 are just the beginning. ASHRAE has already proposed significant increases in ASHRAE 189:

		ASHRAE  90.1	ASHRAE 189 (proposed)
	Zone 1	R-15	R-20
	Zone 2	R-20	R-25
	Zone 3	R-20	R-25
	Zone 4	R-20	R-25
	Zone 5	R-20	R-25
	Zone 6	R-20	R-30
	Zone 7 & 8	R-20	R-35

Building codes will continue to change, but it is important to stay ahead of the curve. The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) at the Alliance to Save Energy recently launched its new Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN) website. OCEAN is an interactive, Web-based resource designed to share lessons learned, best practices, educational resources and key facts as they relate to building energy code adoption and implementation. Please visit their website for more information.

Much of this information was made possible by the efforts of PIMA, with whom Atlas Roofing Corporation is an active member. For more information about PIMA initiatives, please visit www.pima.org