STUDY CONFIRMS AIR BARRIERS A COST-EFFECTIVE
MEASURE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
Sto Guard® Fluid-Applied Waterproofing/Air Barrier Provides Energy Solution
ATLANTA (September 13, 2005) – A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) determined that air barriers are a cost effective measure to be installed in buildings. Most notably, the study showed that the energy savings ranged from 30 – 40 percent for heating climates and 10 - 15 percent for cooling climates.
“We are excited about the study’s findings, as it confirms what we have believed all along – that installing an air barrier, such as Sto Guard®, is an important, cost effective step in the building process,” said Lisa Petsko, Sto Guard® Product Manager. Sto Guard® from Sto Corp. is one of the most effective fluid-applied waterproofing/air barriers that can be used behind various claddings in commercial and residential markets.
The report, entitled “Investigation of the Impact of Commercial Building Envelope Airtightness on HVAC Energy Use” was completed by Steven J. Emmerich of Building and Fire Research Laboratory, Timothy P. McDowell of TESS, Inc., and Wagdy Anis of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott.
The report shows a simulation study of the energy impact of improving envelope airtightness in U.S. commercial buildings. Despite common assumptions, measurements have shown that typical U.S. commercial buildings are not particularly airtight. Past simulation studies have shown that commercial building envelope leakage can result in significant heating and cooling loads. To evaluate the potential energy savings of an effective air barrier requirement, annual energy simulations were prepared for three nonresidential buildings (a two-story office building, a one-story retail building, and a four-story apartment building) in five U.S. cities. A coupled multizone airflow and building energy simulation tool was used to predict the energy use for the buildings at a target tightness level relative to a baseline level based on measurements in existing buildings. Based on assumed blended national average heating and cooling energy prices, predicted potential annual heating and cooling energy cost savings ranged from three - 36 percent with the smallest savings occurring in Phoenix and Miami.
“This study shows tremendous support for using an air barrier to construct an airtight building envelope,” said Petsko. Problems that can occur because of air leakage and condensation are minimized with an air barrier like Sto Guard® because the barrier provides an effective and economical means of controlling moisture in wall assembles. By using a barrier to construct an airtight building envelope, the risk of moisture problems – decay, corrosion, loss of insulation value, mold growth, and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) – may be minimized.
According to Petsko, Sto Guard® consists of three products, used together to create a structural waterproofing/air barrier that greatly improves resistance to air leakage and water infiltration resistance in comparison to sheet goods in wall assemblies. These components are:
- Sto Gold Fill®— a spray- or trowel-applied joint treatment.
- Sto Guard® Mesh— a 9.5 or 4.25 inch (108 or 241 mm) wide adhesive reinforcing mesh used in conjunction with Sto Gold Fill®.
- Sto Gold Coat® and Sto EmeraldCoat™ - a waterproof coating applied by spray, roller or brush to wall sheathing surfaces treated with Sto Gold Fill®, or to prepared concrete or concrete masonry wall construction.
For the complete survey results, please go to http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build05/PDF/b05007.pdf and download the document.
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About Sto Corp.
Sto Corp., based in Atlanta, Georgia, is an innovative world leader and producer of a broad range of versatile cladding and coating systems for building construction, maintenance and restoration. Sto Corp. is ISO 9001 certified and operates production plants strategically located to serve more than 200 distributor shipping locations across North America. At research and development laboratories in the U.S. and Europe, Sto continues to revolutionize the industry with the highest quality products and application technology.
For more information, visit www.stocorp.com or call toll free (800) 221-2397 or (404) 346-0755. |
Press Release 2005
