One of the biggest factors that impacts both a building’s indoor air quality and energy efficiency is the choice of building envelope material. Insulated wall panels are a structural, load bearing, insulated building envelope system made from two panels of prestressed concrete surrounding a layer of insulation. They provide many benefits that contribute to improved indoor air quality and reduced heating and cooling costs.
Limit Infiltration of Pollutants from the Outdoors
When air comes into a building from outside, it can introduce pollutants that negatively impact indoor air quality. Concrete walls that are at least four inches thick function as an air barrier that reduces air infiltration. Additionally, the large size of insulated wall panels reduces the number of joints in a structure, minimizing the potential entry points for moisture and air. When outdoor air quality is low, such as during a wildfire smoke event, buildings with envelopes designed to limit air infiltration can protect indoor air quality.
The use of prestressed wall panels can eliminate the need for additional systems to purify air, saving energy and lowering construction and maintenance costs.
Resist Moisture to Deter Mold Growth
Air quality issues can present when moisture builds up inside of a structure, leading to mold growth. As an inorganic material, concrete is inherently mold resistant. The plastic insulation between the panels is also resistant to mold because it is completely encased in concrete, preventing exposure to moisture.
Prestressed concrete wall panels also help prevent mold growth throughout a building by preventing condensation. Concrete serves as a vapor retarder, preventing the transmission of water vapor through the wall. The use of closed-cell foam insulation in prestressed wall panels helps regulate the temperature, ensuring the concrete stays above the temperature at which condensation occurs.
Slow Heat Transfer to Reduce Energy Costs
Insulated wall panels have a high R-value, meaning they slow the passage of outdoor heat into a building during the summer, and help prevent indoor heat from escaping to the outdoors in the winter. The R-value of our insulated wall panels can be adjusted to accommodate the needs of a particular project in order to maximize energy and cost efficiency.
Insulated wall panels are capable of edge-to-edge insulation, which allows for consistent insulation throughout each panel. This improves R-values and prevents gaps in insulation that act as weak points in the building envelope where heat can pass more easily.
To learn more about the benefits of high performance insulated wall panels, refer to the publication “High Performance Precast Insulated Sandwich Wall Panels” by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
To use County Prestress & Precast’s Insulated Wall Panels for your next project, contact our Customer Service Team.
