ATAS International Inc., a leading metal roofing, wall panels, ceilings and accessories manufacturer, needed more manufacturing space and opted to build a 60,000 square foot facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania near their national headquarters.
Aware of the importance of sustainable building products and renewable energy sources, the privately owned company decided to incorporate various green building products in the construction to assist in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the above, the goals of the company were also to obtain heating energy cost savings, comfortable year-round fresh air ventilation, and positive air pressure for this new manufacturing facility.
Transpired solar collector technology was used to accomplish these goals.
The transpired solar collector, manufactured by ATAS under the brand name InSpire™ Wall, utilizes precision perforated panels that are mounted several inches from the building’s outer wall. The solar preheated air at the surface is “transpired” (drawn through the perforations) into the wall cavity via ventilation fans, which also draw the warmer air up the wall and either directly into the building’s interior or through conventional ductwork. Air space between the walls also acts as an insulator.
ATAS had 3,600 square feet of .032 aluminum InSpire™ Wall panels installed in the color Classic Bronze on the south-facing wall of the 60,000 square foot building, which was completed in 2006. Installation of these panels was projected to provide 650 million BTUs per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 49 tons per year. The energy savings is $16,500 per year based upon fuel costs for the 2006-2007 heating season. The total projected energy cost savings over a 30-year project life is approximately $700,000. The simple payback period with a 30% tax credit and including an accelerated MACRS depreciation is less than 3-1/2 years.
"This technology not only reduces HVAC operating costs - it also provides a healthier working environment for employees," said Dick Bus, ATAS president, in a prepared statement. InSpire™ Wall is environmentally friendly, using clean, natural and renewable energy, thus lowering the need for fossil fuels. The result is improved indoor air quality, free solar heating and a reduction in HVAC operating costs.
In addition to the InSpire™ Wall System, an ENERGY STAR® compliant white paint finish was used on the metal roofing panels to obtain “cool roofing” benefits including a cooling energy reduction of 84.5 million BTU/year (compared to a black roof), an approximate yearly cooling savings of $1,348, and improved summer comfort for the employees.
To ensure even more energy savings, ATAS installed T5HO Fluorescent High Bay Lighting. This lighting option requires 50% less energy than typical High Intensity Discharge (HID) metal halide lighting options. The instant-on feature of the T5HO permits the use of motion sensors in order to light only the areas currently being utilized, allowing for a reduction in wasted energy.
Transpired air collection is a proven technology with many installations in North America and other parts of the world. ATAS was proud to include the InSpire™ Wall System in the construction of the new building, maximizing the investment by reducing reliance on natural gas and reducing greenhouse gases. The addition of a “cool roofing” system and the T5HO lighting affords further energy and cost savings to reach all of the goals of ATAS International Inc.
For more information, contact ATAS at (800) 468-1441 or visit www.atas.com/products/walls/inspire-solar-air-heating/inspire-wall.