Basing a business in a metal insulated building is an increasingly popular move because of a host of practical advantages that make these buildings ideal for everything from factories and warehouses to equestrian centers and perfect spaces for all kinds of other activities.
One aspect that skeptics often bring up, though, is energy efficiency. They will point out that steel is an excellent thermal conductor in an area where such “excellence” is not only unnecessary but unwanted. But these arguments are based on that single simple fact and do not take into account the measures that can be taken to improve the situation.
The fact is there is plenty that can be done, from looking at pre-engineered metal building roof insulation to taking care of the walls and floor. Here we’re going to examine the options with four proven strategies to reduce operational costs.
Pre-engineered Metal Building Roof Insulation
This is, in many ways, the obvious place to start, particularly if we’re looking at the issue from the point of view of retaining heat in a building rather than keeping it cool. Hot air rises: it’s one of the fundamental points raised in science class at school, and one that stays with us throughout life.
There is also the thought of why humans wear hats; is this the same principle or is it that the head is where the brain is located and therefore we need to protect it from the cold (and from the sun)?
Whatever the truth of that rather different question, the building’s hat is its roof and you can have a light one like a baseball cap or cotton bucket hat, or you can have a specially insulated hood or peak-and-ear-flaps outdoor all-weather hat with manmade insulation or perhaps sheepskin.
The principle is the same with a metal building’s roof insulation. Pump a cavity full of foam or stuff it with a blanket of fiberglass. It may depend on how the ceiling was constructed, because if you didn’t build the structure yourself, you have to work with what you’ve got.
Note that we are talking about the inside of the building and therefore really the ceiling rather than the roof. But we can go outside too and paint the roof with special substances that create an external barrier. This can be particularly useful in hot climates where the object is to reflect the sun, but if it’s the cold you’re fighting, another layer of something thermally resistant can be very effective.
Understanding the Scientific Terms
Understanding what is happening is a vital tool that can enable you to swing the situation in your favor. Heat travels in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation.
Conduction happens through direct contact, convection is through the movement of gases including air, or liquids, while radiation is all about electromagnetic waves.
To illustrate these concepts, if you touch something warm with your fingers, the heat transfers directly to your hand, so it reaches you by conduction. If you hold your hand above the hot surface the heat will reach you through the air, in other words by convection. The heat of radiation reaches us without conduction or convection, as from a flame or the sun.
A fourth term to understand in your quest for thermal control is the “envelope”, which is essentially the interior of your building or an individual room within it. The envelope needs to be sealed, and that includes being draft-proof, so not only are you keeping the good stuff in, but you’re preventing the cold from spoiling matters by creeping under doors or through ill-fitting windows.
It is vital, then, to understand these terms so that you can have an informed discussion with a specialist.
Get an Energy Audit
As the owner or occupier of a metal insulated building you probably expect yourself to know at least a little about every aspect of its operation. That is obviously good, but your sketchy knowledge can only take you so far, so you need to consult an expert – in this case a thermal engineer, whom you will find (possibly with a different job title) at an insulation company or a metal building manufacturer.
This specialist will inspect your premises and compile a report on the weak spots in your insulation. They will point out the good parts of how the building is performing and show you what is letting you down.
Control Your Thermostat
If you have central heating at home, you as the head of the household will set the temperature, and if someone finds it uncomfortable, they will bring their complaint to you, rather than altering the thermostat themselves.
In your metal insulated building there will be a lot of time when you’re not there, and other people will have the opportunity to take matters into their own hands. To prevent this, it is possible to control who is physically able to change the thermostat settings, by fitting a thermostat with a passcode. It’s no different from controlling who has a key – or the code – to the front door.
It is also essential to make sure the timings are set precisely so that the heating only comes on when necessary – but equally importantly that it does come on when it’s needed. As a responsible employer or manager, you want the building to be a pleasant place to work and for customers to visit.
Saving money may not be the only reason for maintaining energy efficiency in metal structures, but reducing operating costs is good for everyone in the long run and paying attention to these four strategies can make a big difference to your bottom line.
