Energy efficient solution

The future of energy efficiency

Ed Sauter, executive director of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), states that energy efficient design is one of the biggest opportunities in today's building industry.

"Although the industry frequently uses buzzwords like 'sustainability,' 'LEED ratings' and 'green' design, when the mainstream project actually makes it to the negotiation stage, many of these concepts are traded for other aspects of the building project," says Sauter. "If designers begin to emphasize a more complete envelope approach from the project onset rather than focus on component performance, the resulting design would achieve an advantageous balance of both economy and performance."

• A variety of new and proven insulation systems specifically designed for tilt-up construction aid in providing the ultimate energy efficient solution.
• The large, solid concrete panels add to the energy efficiency of a tilt-up structure since the panel size reduces infiltration or air leakage into and out of the building. Air infiltration is a large source of heat loss.
• Tilt-up concrete sandwich panels — with as much as 10 in. of insulation — boost material R-values as high as 50, while surface-applied insulation options garner material R-values between 5 and 15.