February 20, 2008

IBC Develops Energy Efficient Insulation for Residential Market

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Insulation Business Consultants (IBC) has announced today that the firm has successfully developed a means of maintaining the thermal integrity of exterior walls, eliminating the voids in the insulation where electrical boxes create significant holes in the residential thermal envelope.

The technology was invented by IBC and it incorporates insulating panels of Argon gas and an optional radiant barrier. IBC developed this technology while working on a separate energy-saving technology relating to custom-formed batts for the Fibertek Corporation of Lakeland, Florida.

In a 2000 University of North Dakota study it was revealed that an average American home loses $50 in heat energy each year through leakage of energy in and around electrical boxes. Since 2000, energy cost per unit (BTU) has increased significantly.

IBC discovered that builders were unable to provide adequate insulation to the wall behind the electrical boxes using materials typically available on the jobsite. Regardless of the efforts taken to mitigate the loss, thermal imaging consistently indicated substantial heat loss at the box.

The new electrical box design provides building inspectors with the assurance that thermal performance of the exterior walls will comply with the existing building code language.

IBC is currently negotiating with several manufacturers of electrical boxes to incorporate the technology. The newer boxes are expected to be available by summer of 2008.

IBC has a long history of involvement with energy-saving technology. The firm owns insulation contracting companies and provides consultation services to insulation contracting services organizations nation-wide.

Energy use is a topic of considerable debate as society focuses more effort on the green movement and energy continues to increase in price. As such, this is a critical time for the development of such a solution as it can benefit both areas.

Energy efficiency is a critical point for residential usage as every homeowner desires the best in energy technology that is also cost-efficient. Considering the lost energy through electrical boxes, all other advancements were being negated by this fallacy in design.

For those that are aiming to promote a green society, this technology makes more efficient use of technology, ensuring that none is wasted through weak designs.

The development of this technology will not only appeal to residential customers, it will also help to promote positioning for designers and builders that focus on using this technology. Such positioning will enable these companies to expand their reach and strengthen their brand with this approach.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC (News - Alert) and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.

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