Insulation is not Enough Improve energy efficiency by 40%
Building scientists agree – you need an air barrier to make a building truly energy efficient. That’s because up to 40 percent of conditioned air escapes through the cracks, gaps and holes that exist in the envelope of the average American building.
When air leaves the building, it takes moisture and pollutants along for the ride, contributing to premature deterioration, mold and mildew.
Reduce air leakage by up to 83 percent
A study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows continuous air barrier systems reduce air leakage by up to 83 percent, for potential gas savings of greater than 40 percent and electrical savings greater than 25 percent.
Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Michigan mandate air barrier systems under their Commercial Energy Codes. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will mandate air barriers under Addendum z to Standard 90.1-2004. To meet these standards, an air barrier system must:
Have an air permeance rating less than 0.004 cfm/ft2
Be continuous throughout the building envelope
Have interconnected, flexible joints
Be able to withstand positive and negative wind pressures without displacement
Be durable enough to last the life of the building
The WALLTITE® by BASF Insulating Air Barrier System is approved by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) to meet and exceed these Code requirements.
A study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows continuous air barrier systems reduce air leakage by up to 83 percent, for potential gas savings of greater than 40 percent and electrical savings greater than 25 percent.
