Energy Efficiency and Precast Concrete
/Environmental discussions are becoming more and more important and precast has become apart of those discussions with its ability to act as an energy efficient construction solution. Through its numerous design benefits, precast can be the go to solution for clients looking to meet sustainability goals and reduce their impact on the environment.
Because concrete has a higher density, it has the capacity to absorb and store larger quantities of heat than other materials such as wood. Concrete reacts very slowly to changes in temperature which reduces heating and cooling loads. During the day, the concrete slowly heats up using the heat from the outside environment and then slowly releases this heat during the night using natural ventilation. The result is flatter swings in temperature and energy savings of up to 25%. Thermal mass is an important element to precast’s ability to provide more energy efficient to a structure.
Using precast concrete structural wall panels with architectural finishes reduces the redundancy that comes with traditional cavity wall systems. Precast concrete is an all-in-one construction material that provides a moisture barrier, fire resistance, noise cancellation, and insulation wall without the need for additional materials. It also is able to maximize its thermal properties by delaying heating/cooling requirements which can reduce strain on HVAC equipment over the life of the structure.
When a building is erected using precast concrete, the building is enclosed which limits moisture and mold during construction. Also, precast concrete is an efficient construction material from its construction stage throughout the operation of the building. Hard finished surfaces are easy to maintain and precast is the perfect material for an organized, time and labor saving, cost-effective building system.
The resources below discuss more about the efficiency of precast concrete
New Orleans BioInnovation Center
The BioInnovation Center was the first laboratory building in Louisiana to achieve LEED Gold certification as a result of various sustainable and efficiency features.
FIU Student Academic Center
The design team of the precast FIU Student Academic Center was able to balance nature light with temperature, limiting the native heat and keeping temperatures cool.