Thermal energy performance and efficiency is a core concern for every construction project. Not only do modern buildings need to meet the contemporary expectations for performance in terms of comfort and appeal, but also the environmental and sustainability features that are now required under the national building standards.
The thermal energy efficiency of a building is now a mandated standard under the NatHERS scale, which uses computer simulations to determine the potential thermal comfort of homes on a scale of zero to 10 stars.
To illustrate star rating capacities, a building with a zero star rating offers little to no protection, and a home rated 10 stars should not require any heating or cooling to maintain its thermal comfort and consistency. The NatHERS scale also includes star bands, or area-specific criteria. These take into consideration the local conditions, climate and weather extremes so as to provide an accurate assessment of a building’s thermal energy performance.
Before the introduction of national energy efficiency regulations for houses in 2003, less than one per cent of Australian houses achieved six stars and houses built in the 1990s only averaged about a one star performance rating. From November 2011, 6 star ratings became the minimum requirement for construction projects across Australia and many contemporary homes are even exceeding this.
The main benefits of achieving a high star rating is a more energy efficient home, with a lessened cost for heating and cooling, as well as a reduced long term environmental impact. Choosing construction materials to ensure a building will meet the crucial six-star rating is of the utmost importance for architects, builders, and specifiers.
Foamex's Styroboard™ XPS extruded polystyrene sheets can help play a major role in obtaining a six-star energy rating for your building project. Designers and builders of environmentally sustainable homes, Positive Footprints, have recently used extruded polystyrene products as found in Styroboard™ XPS to help their projects achieve an impressive 8+ star ratings.
The unique characteristics of Styroboard™ XPS actively provide increased thermal consistency for subsequently fewer greenhouse emissions and energy consumption. The reduction in energy consumption used to heat and cool a building is achieved by limiting external temperature influences and minimising internal temperature fluctuations.
Styroboard™ XPS is a strong, durable and highly versatile product that not only offers superior thermal performance but also a high compressive strength making it the ideal product for an extensive range of building needs.
A lightweight and easy to handle building material, Styroboard™ XPS can be used across floor insulation, perimeter insulation, and inverted roofs, as well as roof spacers. Manufactured without refrigerants and HCFC free, it is a truly green building product.
Styroboard™ XPS also has a superior KPA rating and features numerous structural and civil engineering benefits making it compliant with Australian Standards AS1366.4. Its high density cell structure is virtually impervious to water and provides a dimensionally stable, rot-proof and moisture resistant alternative. It features superior compressive strength and long term R Values compared to traditional polystyrene making it perfect for floors and heavy traffic areas.
Achieving the minimum standards for energy efficiency with Styroboard™ XPS creates a home with long lasting benefits for comfort, resource consumption and cost, benefitting both the owner and a sustainable environment.
For further information on Foamex or Styroboard XPS™ visit foamex.com.au
