Cost Reduction Protocol (CRP) Projects and Performance Data:

Champlain Valley Union High School	Click here for HTML	Click here for PDF
AVA Gallery and Art Center	Click here for HTML	Click here for PDF

Building Envelope Services, Inc. P. O. Box 65, 5567 US Route 5 North Thetford, VT 05054 www.buildingenvelopesolutions.com

For more information, contact: Henri Fennell, CSI/CDT, President 802-222-7740 hfennell09@gmail.com

FOR RELEASE

Build High Performance for Less than Conventional Building

North Thetford, Vt. (June 9, 2008) - A high-performance building can be built for less than a conventional building. While the envelope of a high-performance building may cost more, the performance leads to a significantly lowered energy load and reduced mechanical systems cost.

The Cost Reduction Protocol (CRP) is a proven process for guaranteeing building envelope performance. By using the associated reduction in heating and cooling loads to reduce the mechanical system size, the overall building construction typically costs less than conventional building practices.

Reduce Mechanical Systems Construction Costs for Up-front Savings

The savings that can be realized from the use of a high-performance building envelope is not limited to long-term energy savings. A high-performance building envelope can reduce initial construction costs because high-performance materials and installations can reduce the building energy loads significantly. In addition to long-term savings in the form of reduced energy costs spread over the life of the building, the Cost Reduction Protocol (CRP) allows for significant up-front savings in the form of reduced mechanical systems construction costs.

Using a high-performance building envelope and a guarantee of performance, the mechanical engineer can safely design for half the normal energy load. The building envelope is the largest piece of equipment in any project and must be considered in combination with the mechanical systems to reap the benefits of a high-performance envelope design.

For example, the high-performance building envelope for major and minor renovations to a high school resulted in savings of $685,000 in the initial construction. During the historic renovation of an art gallery and center, the CRP reduced the cost of initial construction, gained long-term energy savings, and earned LEED credits.

Air Tightness Reduces Energy Loads for Net Reduction in Total Building Cost

Tests indicate that the installed air tightness of high-performance building envelopes is at least 20%, and as much as 60%, tighter than the new ASHRAE recommendations, and at least 50%, and as much as 85%, tighter than typical construction.

For example, the high-performance building envelope for a high school was 6 times tighter than the conventional U.S. average and 3 times tighter than the ASHRAE recommended maximum. The reduced energy load allowed a reduction in the mechanical system size.

High-performance envelope systems cost about 2.5% more than conventional insulation. However, this translates into a net reduction in the total building cost typically between 1% and 10% when compared to conventional construction techniques. The high-performance building envelope at the high school saved $685,000 in the initial construction cost (4% of the total building cost).

Projects and performance data can be viewed at:
www.buildingenvelopesolutions.com/pressroom

To schedule an interview or presentation, contact Henri Fennell, CSI/CDT, President, Building Envelope Services, Inc. 802-222-7740 ext. 12. High resolution digital photographs and additional case studies available upon request.

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About Building Envelope Services

Building Envelope Services, Inc. provides sophisticated techniques for improving building envelope performance. The company offers consulting and diagnostic services; controlled-environment solutions; safe, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly polyurethane foams through the FOAM-TECH division; quality assurance testing, equipment service and training. This breadth of service creates thermal envelope solutions which are sustainable in a real-world environment and perform at or better than industry standards.