Energy Savings

Murus Structural Insulated Panels offer Energy Savings

Murus SIPs offer engineered energy savings. They deliver faster installation, reduced jobsite waste, and a lifetime of lower heating and cooling costs compared to traditional construction.

R-Values

R-values measure the capacity of a material, such as insulation, to resist heat flow. The higher an R-value, the greater the material’s insulating capacity. Murus SIPs offer the highest R-value per inch of thickness of any commercially available building system.

R-values can be misleading. For example, a builder may claim a wall has an R-value of 19 because the insulation is rated R-19. But in practice, the wall also contains studs that conduct heat and reduce the wall’s overall insulating capability by 20 to 50%*. That traditional R-19 wall may, in reality, have an actual “whole wall” R-value of only R-12.

Because Murus SIPs offer consistent insulation throughout the entire panel, its R-values are true. Even better, Murus SIPs offer R-values up to R-67, depending on the type of foam core and its thickness. And, unlike fiberglass insulation that can sag, shift or take on moisture, Murus SIPs continue to perform over time.

Air Infiltration

Air infiltration can account for 40% of the heat loss in a building. The Murus SIP system is 3 to 5 times tighter than typical construction methods, and virtually eliminates air infiltration and stratification (cold floors and hot ceilings). The result: a controlled, comfortable living environment with no drafts—and significant reduction in energy costs.

Thermal Performance

The framing in traditional construction has relatively poor insulating qualities because it creates “thermal bridges”—areas, like studs themselves, where heat can be conducted in a building envelope. This can reduce the stated thermal performance of a wall by 20 – 50%. In addition, gaps may be present wherever materials join together: corners, sheathing joints, and window and door openings, among others. In contrast, Murus SIPs offer a continuous barrier against thermal bridging that dramatically outperforms traditional construction.

Tax Credits

Murus provides significant energy savings over the life of a structure, and this may enable you to take advantage of significant federal tax benefits designed to reward energy-conscious builders and homeowners.

For details, check with a tax preparation professional for incentives or credits available from your state, or visit http://dsireusa.org.

* Kosny, Jan, et al. Whole-Wall Rating/Label for Structural Insulated Panels: Steady-State Thermal Analysis. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1999.

Murus Difference