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| The Nature of Stewardship |
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Energy efficient products are what set EFCO apart from other Heavy Commercial fenestration manufactures. The introduction of thermally improved framing and accessories in the 1970’s to the new E-Strut™ technology of today, has kept EFCO in the forefront of the fenestration industry. EFCO is committed to improving global attitudes concerning the health of our planet. We are committed to improving designs and manufacturing processes which eliminate waste, supports recycling and improves on energy efficiency. When pared with the use of locally recycled aluminum, this “stewardship” attitude ultimately enables the reduction of greenhouse emissions and our Carbon Footprint.
EFCO encourages participation in the LEED® rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The U.S. Green Building Counsel’s latest version of their rating system (LEED 2.2), clearly defines each of the credit areas in which you as an owner / architect can gain LEED points. For more information on LEED, you can read more at www.usgbc.org.
- Sustainable Sites – Construction Activity Pollution Prevention, Site Selection, Development Density & Community Connectivity, Brownfield development, Alternative Transportation, Site Development, Storm Water Design, Heat Island Effect and Light Pollution Reduction. ( 14 Points Possible )
- Water Efficiency – Water Efficient Landscaping, Innovative Wastewater Technologies, Water Use Reduction. ( 5 Points Possible )
- Energy and Atmosphere – Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems, Minimum Energy Performance, Fundamental Refrigerant Management, Optimum Energy Performance, On-Site Renewable Energy, Enhanced Refrigerant Management, Measurement and Verification, Green Power. ( 17 points Possible)
- Materials and Resources – Storage and Collection of Recyclables, Building Reuse, Construction Waste Management, Materials Reuse, Recycled Content, Regional Materials, Rapidly Renewable Materials, Certified Wood. ( 13 Points Possible )
- Indoor Environmental Quality – Minimum IAQ Performance, Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control, Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring, Increased Ventilation, Construction IAQ Management, Low Emitting Materials, Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control, Controllability of Systems, Thermal Comfort and Daylight and Views. (15 points Possible )
- Innovation and Design Process – Innovation in Design and LEED Accredited Professional. ( 5 Points Possible )
69 Points Possible. 52-69 points = Platinum, 39-51 = Gold, 33-38 = Silver, 26-32 = Certified
Three of the six LEED areas in which EFCO can directly and indirectly help gain points are Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR), and Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ).
Energy and Atmosphere:
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Credit EA Prerequisite 2 – Minimum Energy Performance, is obtained by providing a minimum energy performance level for the entire building envelope. Specifying the use of EFCO’s energy efficient window framing, curtain wall or storefront / door framing along with high efficiency glazing products, is an important part of not only the building aesthetics but for it’s energy consumption for lighting, heating and cooling. |
| Credit EA 1 – Optimize Energy Performance. This credit is obtained by optimizing the building’s energy consumption and performance. EFCO’s product line allows you the freedom to expand into higher levels of energy reduction. (Up to 10 points are available with this credit.) |
| Credit EA 2 – On-Site Renewable Energy, credits are obtained by implementing systems in the building design that allow for On-Site renewable energy. EFCO has been involved with many projects which included Photovoltaic panels glazed into our thermal framing. These power generating units have been used as aesthetic spandrel panels and provide for a significant part of the building’s electrical needs. You can see streaming data showing the potential for a building’s power output for one of these applications at www.altpower.com/livedata_solaire.php (one to three points) |
Materials and Resources:
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Credit MR 1.1 and 1.2 – Building Reuse, credits are obtained by the reuse of existing buildings. EFCO has many window and window accessories specifically designed for retro-fit applications. Our “Trim-All” panning system and many sub-frame accessories allow for easy retrofit into existing building wall sections. (One point each) |
| Credit MR 4.1 and 4.2 – Recycled Content, credits are obtained by using building materials that contain recycled content. EFCO’s historical and ongoing commitment to our environment, includes our many energy efficient product lines which are comprised mainly of aluminum and glass – two of the most abundant and recyclable materials in the world. EFCO manufactures our framing products with aluminum that is 70% recycled. Our many glass suppliers average between 20% and 25% recycled content, our main hardware supplier provides castings that contain between 85% and 95% recycled materials and we use cardboard packaging that contains between 20% and 24% recycled content. Job specific recycled content letters are provided by EFCO through our customer service department during the project submittal process. (One point each) |
| Credits MR 5.1 and 5.2 – Regional Materials. In order for materials to be eligible for credits 5.1 & 5.2 they must not only be manufactured within 500 miles of the site, but must be built from materials that have been extracted, harvested, or recovered from within the same 500 miles. This is a significant revision from version 2.0 of the LEED rating system. |
Indoor Environment Quality:
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Credit EQ 2 – Increased Ventilation, is obtained by providing additional outdoor air ventilation to improve indoor air quality for improved occupant comfort, well being and productivity. EFCO can provide a wide range of vent configurations that allow for occupant ventilation. EFCO can also provide designs which include occupant controlled passive ventilators which provide only a “Trickle” of air circulation in lieu of opening a window. (One point) |
| Credit EQ 6.1 – Controllability of Systems-Lighting, is obtained by providing the building occupant the controllability of light needed for productivity, comfort or wellbeing. Even though this credit is mainly pointed toward the lighting systems in the building, EFCO can provide integral blinds in many of our window products that can enhance the controllability of the lighting for building occupants. (One point) |
| Credit EQ 6.2 – Controllability of Systems-Thermal Comfort, is obtained by providing building occupants the ability to adjust their individual comfort. Operable windows can be considered a method of adjustment. (One point) |
| Credit EQ 8.1 and 8.2 – Daylight and Views, are obtained by providing the building occupants a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building. EFCO can provide just about any requirement for your daylight needs. (One point each) |
Misunderstood LEED Credits:
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Credits 3.1 and 3.2 – Materials Reuse, - These credits are gained by using materials that are salvaged from an existing structure and then reused in a new building or left in place during a refurbishing project. New window products using recycled materials do not qualify for this credit. |
| Credit EQ 4.2 – Low Emitting Materials. This credit is meant for paints and coatings that are applied “on site”. New window products painted and cured in the factory do not qualify for this credit. |
| Credits MR 5.1 and 5.2 – Regional Materials. LEED 2.0 and LEED 2.2 are very different in their requirements for qualification. Be sure to request documentation proving the manufacturer uses raw materials that are regional to the job site as well as the fabrication. |
| Credit 7.1 – Thermal Comfort, this credit area is meant for the design of the Heating, venting and Air Conditioning system. New window products do not qualify here. |
| Note: ONLY BUILDINGS ARE CERTIFIED. The USGBC does not certify, promote, or endorse any products, companies, or individuals. Products may only contribute to the requirements needed to gain points that are given toward a building’s LEED rating. This is a partial gallery of LEED certified projects of which EFCO supplied product. For more information, please contact you local representative or call EFCO at 1-800-221-4169. |
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The Solaire - New York, NY |
The Verdisian - New York, NY |
Ballard Library - Seattle, WA |
Pfiser Inc. Clinical Research Unit - New Haven, CT |
Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse - Monroe, MI |
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Click here to download the print version of this statement. |
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