Suitability of UPVC windows for Green Rating under LEED-NC Version 2.1 recommendations : 1. Energy Performance 1. Performance in use – To quote from book ‘Energy Efficient Windows’ published by Prof. N.K.Bansal, Professor, Center of Energy Studies, IIT Delhi (we would send you a copy), a “properly designed Energy Saving Window in an air-conditioned building can save nearly 30% energy”. The energy saving window essentially consists of i) heat insulating framing material ii) double glazing and iii) proper sealing between wall and window as well as between the opening and fixed framing of windows. The relevant figures for different window materials is as shown below: Material K-value (Kcal/hr/m² °C) U-value (Kcal/hr/m² °C) Timber 00.462 2.39 Steel 38.570 - Aluminum 186.850 4.24 PVC 00.300 2.24 As you would observe a PVC window would give significant saving in energy cost for an air-conditioned building. 2. The other important aspect of energy saving is the significantly lower energy cost of manufacture of different window framing materials (see below): Energy and Crude oil use Critical Volumes for the Production of For different Materials Different Materials Material Energy Use Crude Oil use Material Critical volume of air Critical volume of Water Gjoules/ton Ton/ton m3 of air /kg dm3 water/kg PVC 53 0.63 PVC 700 3000 Steel 30 0 Steel 3400 4600 Aluminum 200 0 Aluminum 9320 27700 Source: Environmentally friendly packaging in the future Stichting Milieudefensie(NI),1991 As you will notice PVC is environmentally a superior material. In fact PVC windows have become extremely popular in China on the back of legislative support extended by the Government for the environmental advantages. 3. Both Aluminum and PVC window profiles are produced by extrusion. PVC extrusion is however less energy intensive at a melt temperature of 185 °C as against Aluminum, which is extruded cold from billets.
Suitability of UPVC windows for Green Rating under LEED-NC
Version 2.1 recommendations :1. Energy Performance1. Performance in
use To quote from book Energy Efficient Windowspublished by Prof.
N.K.Bansal, Professor, Center of Energy Studies, IIT Delhi(we would
send you a copy), a properly designed Energy Saving Window in
anair-conditioned building can save nearly 30% energy.The energy
saving window essentially consists of i) heat insulating framing
material ii)double glazing and iii) proper sealing between wall and
window as well as between theopening and fixed framing of windows.
The relevant figures for different windowmaterials is as shown
below:Material K-value (Kcal/hr/m C) U-value (Kcal/hr/m C)Timber
00.462 2.39Steel 38.570 -Aluminum 186.850 4.24PVC 00.300 2.24As you
would observe a PVC window would give significant saving in energy
cost for anair-conditioned building.2. The other important aspect
of energy saving is the significantly lower energycost of
manufacture of different window framing materials (see
below):Energy and Crude oil use Critical Volumes for the Production
ofFor different Materials Different MaterialsMaterial Energy Use
Crude Oil use Material Critical volume of air Critical volume of
WaterGjoules/ton Ton/ton m3 of air /kg dm3 water/kgPVC 53 0.63 PVC
700 3000Steel 30 0 Steel 3400 4600Aluminum 200 0 Aluminum 9320
27700Source: Environmentally friendly packaging in the
futureStichting Milieudefensie(NI),1991As you will notice PVC is
environmentally a superior material. In fact PVC windowshave become
extremely popular in China on the back of legislative support
extended bythe Government for the environmental advantages.3. Both
Aluminum and PVC window profiles are produced by extrusion.
PVCextrusion is however less energy intensive at a melt temperature
of 185 C asagainst Aluminum, which is extruded cold from billets.2.
Resource Reuse : As per British Plastics Federation, PVC can be
recycled relativelystraightforwardly. It is now common practice to
recover and recycle factory wastes and /or off-cuts after the
window has been fabricated. These materials are then
incorporatedwith virgin polymer to produce further long life
products including window profiles.The European PVC industry has
committed to recycle 50% of the collectable availablequantities of
post consumer waste PVC window waste by 2005. In UK, the
PVC-Uproducts last so long that there simply hasnt been enough
feedstock yet to input effectivelyinto the recovery and recycling
process.In India we routinely recycle 10% waste generated at the
setting up stage of extrusion andend-length off cuts back into the
extrusion process.3. Regional Materials We will be producing a
finished window at our factory atBomasundara, Bangalore. A majority
of our input materials will also be regional, forinstance we will
source glass from St.Gobain, Chennai and reinforcement from
Peenya,which are both within the specified 500 km radius.4. Indoor
environment quality The important purpose of a window is to provide
excellentsealing to keep environmental pollutants like sound, dust
and even tobacco smokeisolated. With a Fenesta casement window,
sound attenuation of 30db can be achieved.This is possible only
because of excellent air sealing between the opening and fixed
partof the window and around the periphery (Test certificates
attached)5. Low emitting materials (adhesives and sealants) The
silicone sealants used for sealingwindow around the periphery have
nil VOC content and are safe to use.6. Low emitting materials
(paints and coating) The PVC window is extruded pristinewhite and
does not require any maintenance. It can be easily cleaned with
soap & waterand does not require any painting.7. Life
expectancy As per British Plastics Federation the life expectancy
of a PVCwindow is over 40 years (see attachment)8. Accreditation of
facilities The Fenesta profile extrusion facility at Kota has
beencertified by KPMG for ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001
(Environment) and OHSAS18001 (Work Environment). Similarly the
Fabrication and Installation process atBangalore has been audited
for ISO 9001.
