Masonry Magazine July 1980 Page. 25
The GSA building prior to completion. The structure's heavy mass, small window area, low U factor and unbroken insulation "envelope" on the outside of the walls combined to make it unique in terms of energy conservation.
Insulation "Envelope" Helps New GSA Building Cut Energy Consumption
A recently-completed analysis of its first three years of operation has shown that the Norris Cotton Federal Building, an experimental office building constructed by the General Services Administraton (GSA) in Manchester, N.H., uses 30-50 percent less energy than similar buildings in that environment.
At the time of its construction in 1975, similar buildings nationwide consumed approximately 115,000 Btu per sq. ft. per year. In New Hampshire 200,000 Btu is considered a low average for office buildings.
The $8.8 million, 176,000-sq. ft., seven-story "energy demonstration project" approximated its energy usage target of 55,000 Btu per sq. ft. per year, according to a report issued by the National Bureau of Standards, which monitored the energy program.
The GSA building actually reached a 56,800 Btu level, but GSA officials say the project is an "unqualified success," especially since it came within 2 percent of its energy savings goal.
According to the GSA, the building was constructed as a "living laboratory in energy conservation to test and evaluate methods of saving energy in office buildings." It is the first federal office building designed from the outset with priority given to energy conservation.
The building's heavy mass, small window areas, low U factor, and unbroken insulation "envelope" on the outside of the walls combined to make the facility unique in terms of energy conservation. The building also features innovative energy conserving heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, which utilize heat pumps, heat storage and recovery devices, and solar collectors.
The approach used in insulating the building was particularly effective in reaching the 56.800 Btu level. Specifications called for wall insulation placed on the exterior of the masonry between it and the interior facing panels to minimize the effects from outdoor temperature. The Manchester facility was specified to have a U value of 0.06.
The CertainTeed Corporation's Insulation Group developed a special product to meet all the physical and thermal specifications of the job. Called Wall and Panel Envelope Energy Saver (WP-EES) insulation, it is 3-4 in. thick, which by itself meets the specified R value of 16 and thermal conductance of 0.06.
More than 50,000 sq. ft. of WP-EES insulation were
Certain Teed's Wall and Panel Evelope Energy Saver (WP-EES) insulation is 3-% in, thick, which by itself meets the specified R value of 16 and thermal conductance of 0.06. More than 50.000 sq. ft. of WP-EES were used on the building.
placed on the exterior side of the back-up wall around the building's perimeter, beams and underside of slabs, creating an energy-saving envelope that literally blankets the entire exterior wall.
The National Bureau of Standards used a computerized instrumentation system to monitor more than 900 sensors located throughout the building. Results were submitted to the GSA and the Department of Energy. The report concluded that it is cost-effective to design a medium-sized office building in a northern climate and use no more than 55,000 Btu per sq. ft. per year.
NOW
SOLD
FACTORY
DIRECT TO
CONSUMER
NO
MIDDLE
MAN
MASONRY BLOCK-FOUNDATIONS
FORM FILLS-COLUMNS-ETC.
THE P-307B
CONCRETE &
GROUT PUMP
SO SIMPLE
Fewer moving parts means less repairs.
• Driving pistons are to sides of machine, for easy maintenance
• Any pump speed from 0 to maximum
its
EFFICIENCY
is in its
SIMPLICITY
GIANT INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
8481 Whittier Boulevard
Pico Rivera, California 90660
(213) 699-6388 or 723-5218
RETURN THIS AD FOR FREE LITERATURE
MFGRS. OF
PUMPS FOR
23 YEARS
MASONRY/JULY, 1980 25