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Why Wood Is Good - Energy Efficiency
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Picture the fins on a radiator. Now, picture the hundreds of thin steel studs used to frame a house in sheet metal. Like the fins on a radiator, sheet metal studs transfer large amounts of heat to the outside air during winter. They also transfer hot air inside during summer.
Frankly, wood makes a lousy radiator. In fact, it's 400-times less heat conductive than steel and 8.5 times less than concrete. As a result, homes framed with wood require less energy to heat and cool. Plus, the insulated cavities in wood frame construction, in combination with its superior insulating capability, means that wood can meet the most demanding energy codes at less cost.
Thermal Performance
The heating and cooling of homes accounts for 50% of all utility costs (gas, oil, hydro-electric) and about 15% of the energy used in North America. With rising energy costs and rolling blackouts across the country, energy efficiency is a critical factor in buying or building a new home. The energy demand difference between a poorly constructed home and one that's well constructed and insulated can amount to several thousand dollars a year.
Energy Efficiency and Building Codes
Wood construction can meet any energy code in any climate in the world. In extreme climates like Alaska and the Canadian Arctic, the adoption of double wood frame wall systems keeps homeowners warm when temperatures drop to -40ºF. New energy code requirements in several European countries have even prompted a switch from traditional masonry construction to wood.
The movement of cold into a house through the framing is called thermal bridging. It's a problem because it increases energy consumption — and it's a particular problem with steel. To prevent thermal bridging, steel framing requires extra insulation on the outside sheathing which can add significantly to building costs.
Wood is energy efficient, not only because it's a good insulator, but because its versatility makes it easy to adjust the width of a wall to accommodate extra insulation where desired. Oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood wall sheathing, typically used under a home's exterior finish, offers added insulation as well as rigidity and security.
New Wood Products Offer Additional Energy
Savings
New wood product innovations further improve energy efficiency and continue to make wood the premier choice for homebuilding.
• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) can be used for floors, walls and roofs. These panels are prefabricated by sandwiching an insulating core material like polystyrene or polyurethane foam between two panels of OSB. Highly energy efficient, the use of SIPS results in insulating values that exceed energy code requirements.
• Radiant Barrier Panels are plywood or OSB panels with a reflective aluminum foil face bonded to one side. Typically used for roof sheathing in hot climates, radiant barrier panels are installed with the foil facing the attic. Because the barrier reflects up to 97% of the sun's radiant heat away from the home, attic temperatures are reduced by as much as 30ºF — which greatly reduces the need for air conditioning.
Why Wood is Good
Energy Efficiency
Environmental Benefits
Structural Integrity
Fire Safety
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