Architects and specifiers continue to increase their commitment to designing green buildings and energy-efficient facilities. Polyiso insulation is a critical product that can support architects and specifiers in their efforts. Polyiso has been recognized by Environmental Building News and Energy Design + Construction as the high thermal insulation product of choice.

Independent research has found that polyiso can dramatically reduce energy costs and emissions. Between 1999 and 2003, 22.8 billion board feet of polyiso insulation were installed savings billions of dollars in energy costs. If however, architects and other building professionals had added just one inch of polyiso above the minimum R-value, they could have saved an additional $11.2 billion in energy costs and 281 million barrels of oil.

According to the United States Department of Energy, residential and commercial buildings account for 35 percent of the nation’s energy related emissions. Increasing the R-value with an extra inch of polyiso insulation could prevent the emissions of 141 million tons of carbon dioxide, 325,000 tons of sulphur dioxide and 122,000 tons of nitrogen oxides.

Polyiso roof insulation meets all industry standards for energy efficiency and fire-safety. Polyiso roof insulation is the only rigid foam insulation to pass both the ANSI UL 1256 (US)/CAN/ULC-S126 (Canada) and FM 4450 fire tests without a thermal barrier for direct to deck application. Because no thermal barrier is needed, architects can help meet the budgetary constraints of their customers. An independent study comparing the first-cost installation of polyiso to the first-cost installation of expanded and extruded polystyrene found savings of $93,000 to $146,000 when polyiso is used instead of extruded polystyrene and $60,000 to $95,000 over expanded polystyrene. Roofing contractors who add an additional inch of polyiso – thus improving the energy performance of the building through increased R-value – can still save money on the first cost installation. The study found savings of $72,000 to $113,000 when higher levels of polyiso are used instead of standard levels of extruded polystyrene and $40,000 to $79,000 over standard levels of expanded polystyrene.

Polyiso insulation is viable for use in wide variety of building designs. From the National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center to Wal-Marts to LEED certified buildings around North America, polyiso is the answer.

As architects and specifiers continue to break new ground in the campaign to make buildings more energy efficient and environmentally responsible, remember that polyiso insulation can help reduce energy use and lower emissions.