Energy Efficiency and Panelized Construction

The efficient use of energy has been a priority for our industry for a long time, but recent events (both regulatory and retail) have reinforced the need for constant improvement. Our customers are demanding it and the government (at all levels) is requiring it.

One of the best ways of increasing the energy efficiency of delivered houses is through the use of panelization and roof sheathing selection.

When using wall and floor panels manufactured offsite, a much more sealed and efficient envelope can be realized on site. In Sweden, panels produced using the Swedish System are required to pass a government test of zero air penetration of the structure at a 50 mile and hour wind. Such a standard can be met here using that system or a somewhat lesser standard can be met using others, either way superior performance can be delivered.

The key benefits that are delivered by properly produced panels include:

• Reduced air infiltration through a much tighter building envelope seal delivered from:
• Fewer exterior sheathing seams through the use of 4x10 or greater sheathing on all exterior walls, shear or not.
•The use of KD lumber maintaining tighter fits and delivering much less settlement and subsequent leakage.
• Much more accurate stud, module and sub-assembly cuts for better fitting panel-to-panel.
• Much reduced or eliminated sill seepage, with Plate Gasket seals between exterior walls and foundations, as well as between walls and second floor deck AND between wall panels end studs, where they are joined.
• With the use of a computer controlled saw and when possible, the use of engineered lumber, more precise cuts for exterior window and door openings and therefore more accurate opening wioth less leakage will result.
• Quality Jeld-Wen or other energy star windows with Low E glass, installed in the factory and flashed properly under controlled conditions. This should include the use of expansive foam in the window and door openings between the windows and the frame.

Additional energy efficiency benefits include:
• Better quality control overall through offsite manufacturing with indoor monitoring in controlled conditions.
• Additional points in the builders LEEDS certification process may well be realized, as well as meeting individual city or county development requirements.
Many, many fewer people driving to the factory than to the job-site during framing phase
• Much more efficient use of energy transporting material, as panels are a dense, high value product that require many fewer trip, in aggregate, that a series of materials deliveries required to site build the same structure..
• Significantly lower waste, 3% in the factory (most recycled) vs. 17-22% on site. This avoids the energy and other costs of producing materials and product that will just be wasted on the jobsite and then hauled away, requiring addition cost as well as gas or diesel consumption.

All these advantages should come at a price that is lower overall than site built solutions. Energy efficiency and a cost advantage to the builder as well as to the homeowner, what is not to like?