Press Release, 01 March 2006
Not since the oil crises of the 1970s has there been such global concern about the upward spiral of oil prices. Back then the energy efficiency of new buildings was far from an exact science, but now it is fast becoming one of the key considerations for today’s homebuyers. More and more new homebuyers are not just concerned about owning any home, but ensuring that their new home is comfortable, warm and affordable to heat.
The introduction of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will mean that superior energy performance in buildings now needs to be a standard feature and not an added extra.
The new regime will mean, for the first time, all buildings being sold or rented will have to provide the new occupants with an energy-rating certificate indicating the scale of annual energy bills. In practice it will mean that buildings with poor energy efficiency and higher energy demands will be worth less, and those with good energy ratings will be much more marketable and easier to sell.
This legislation, coupled with every government’s drive to reduce C02 emissions, has moved the energy debate on so far that builders, specifiers and architects now need to build-in energy efficiency just to ensure their developments are competitive in the market place.
Improving the energy efficiency of a building is not simple but there are many options to choose from during the design and construction phase that achieve better performances and reduce annual heating costs. One very popular option, which is scientifically proven to have a major impact on improving energy efficiency, is to use Tyvek® Enercor®, the metallised vapour open membranes from DuPont to line the building envelope.
Buildings have been traditionally insulated to minimise heat transfer by conduction only and thick fibre or foam materials have been used extensively. But new building regulations recognise the need to prevent uncontrolled air exchange in buildings, which is the biggest contributor to heat loss. The use of airtight membranes is one obvious solution to make the building envelope airtight.
The Tyvek® Enercor® reflective membranes are specifically designed to respond to the need to build airtight and energy-efficient wall and roof systems for the construction industry.
Since the introduction of the Tyvek® range of “vapour open” or "breathable" membranes in the 1970’s, global science-company DuPont has revolutionised building techniques. Now DuPont created a new category of energy-efficient membranes with the introduction of Tyvek® Enercor®, the reflective membranes for thermal management.
The key to these outstanding performances is a unique micro fibre structure combined with a very thin, vacuum applied, aluminium coating. The metallised surface has a very low emissivity, which allows it to minimise the radiating heat losses during winter and to reflect radiating heat during summer.
Used together with the traditional insulating materials, DuPont™ Tyvek® Enercor® is an ideal solution to maximize the energy efficiency of the building envelope, through the control of humidity transfer as well as of heat gains and losses.
Furthermore, as the insulating materials are kept dry, there is no condensation and therefore no fungi or mould build-up.
Recent experiments carried out at the Building Research Establishment have shown there is a reduction of between 10 and 15% in thermal transmission with the installation of Tyvek® Enercor® compared to the use of a standard membrane. This shows that Tyvek® Enercor® delivers significant saving to an annual heating bill. The secret behind the exceptional performance lies in the unique “vapour open” structure of the membrane that allows the construction of an airtight envelope. Its unique metallised surface minimises heat losses in winter and reflects the heat in summer.
Mark Hill of DuPont believes that builders and specifiers should consider using reflective membranes to improve their buildings. "Tyvek® membranes are easy to use and to install and they deliver a sealed building that will offer a better quality living or working environment, as well as ensure significant energy savings."
Hill advises specifiers to think about how to create energy efficient buildings before embarking on major projects "Energy efficiency is now at the top of the purchase curve and those builders who invest in inputs during construction that will offer energy savings to home buyers will benefit by more sales and better prices," he concluded.
For further information please contact:
Peggy Beicht - Media Relations
DuPont Building Innovations
L-2984 Luxembourg
Tel: (352) 3666 5945
Fax: (352) 3666 5021
Email: peggy.beicht@lux.dupont.com
