Proper Insulation is a Form of Eco-action
Up to 70–80 percent of the emissions generated by buildings are produced during their use. Thus, it is important to minimize both heating and cooling needs through structural energy efficiency enabled by a thermally insulated envelope, which allows for reductions in both emissions and energy costs. Reduced consumption of energy during the use of a building is directly linked with lower emissions.
The outer envelope of an energy efficient building provides effective thermal insulation, thus consuming significantly less energy than a house that meets the minimum requirements provided by building regulations. A properly thermally insulated envelope is the most environmentally friendly solution, as it continues to save energy throughout its useful life without requiring maintenance.
AIMING TOWARD ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS
A zero-energy building generates as much energy as it consumes. Thus, the net annual consumption of the building is zero.
With Finnfoam’s effective and mold-proof thermal insulation products, true zero-energy houses can be constructed safely. Effective insulation materials ensure that structural thicknesses can be kept at a practical level, and the payback period of the additional cost in a new build is just a few years.
A building that has been insulated to true zero-energy or passive house level will allow for substantial emission savings during its useful life. And the residents or owners of the property will also be pleased with the money saved on heating bills: reducing the energy consumption of a detached house by 10–20 000 kWh each year will have a significant impact on the energy bills.
DURABLE MATERIALS AS PART OF LIFE-CYCLE THINKING
The environmental impact has become a consideration in the planning of construction projects with a particular focus on life-cycle thinking. When assessing the environmental impact of a construction project, the carbon footprint should always be calculated over the entire life-cycle of the building.
Similarly, the useful life of construction materials will indicate the repairs, maintenance measures, and replacement intervals required by the product in question during its life-cycle. The maintenance free service life of Finnfoam thermal insulation products is 50–100 years, which means that their replacement will only become relevant at a time when the building would, in any case, require significant renovations.
The range of long-lasting and durable Finnfoam thermal insulation products is suitable for all types of insulation and a wide variety of supplementary thermal insulation applications. When used for frost proofing or floor insulation, Finnfoam is highly resistant to moisture, freezing, and load without these qualities becoming compromised with time. Once a building has been insulated properly, you do not have to repair or add to the installed insulation.
A WELL-INSULATED BUILDING IS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION
At Finnfoam, we are developing new sustainable solutions and focusing on reducing the carbon footprint generated by a building during its use. Not only is building a house that is structurally energy efficient an environmentally friendly deed, but it is also the most economically sound option in the longer term.
Structures constructed using Finnfoam insulation products do not require separate vapor barriers or wind-proofing panels, which allows for cost savings with regard to the use of other materials.
An energy efficient building will also have the lowest life-cycle cost by a significant margin. In terms of the purchase price, an additional investment of 1–4% of overall costs will be required compared to traditional construction activities. The investment in insulation can however be recouped in zero-energy houses by simply replacing the heating system with a less energy-intensive option. Energy efficient houses also offer significantly lower living and maintenance costs than regular houses.
