During the fall of 2008, we installed a state-of-the-art wood pellet boiler system to heat our 100,000 sq. ft. plant in Jaffrey, NH. Installed as a pilot project by New England Wood Pellet Inc. the system is structured around a 1 million BTU Swedish boiler.

Wood pellets are a clean, renewable, locally abundant, carbon-neutral energy source. Significant cost savings over our previous oil-fired system are being realized, and we are proud to be in the forefront of the move toward alternate energy sources.
   - Read more about wood pellet heating systems at www.propellenergy.com.

The insulated panel product line manufactured at our Jaffrey plant is a major contributor to energy saving projects in institutional and commercial buildings. Insulated metal panels are used in window, curtain wall and storefront projects either next to, or in lieu of glass. Our insulated panels generally have a higher insulating value (R-value) than insulated glass, and consequently are a major contributor to institutional energy saving projects and LEED Certification.

WHAT WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARD LEED CERTIFICATION

High Standard is committed to assisting architects and building owners in the LEED rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The U.S. Green Building Counsel’s current version of its rating system (LEED 2009) defines each of the credit areas in which an owner or architect can obtain LEED points. For more information on LEED, go to www.usgbc.org.

These are the credit areas:

• Sustainable Sites - Construction Activity Pollution Prevention, Site Selection, Development Density & Community Connectivity, Brownfield development, Alternative Transportation, Site Development, Storm Water Design, Heat Island Effect and Light Pollution Reduction. (26 Points Possible)

• Water Efficiency - Water Efficient Landscaping, Innovative Wastewater Technologies, Water Use Reduction.
  (10 Points Possible)

• Energy and Atmosphere - Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems, Minimum Energy Performance, Fundamental Refrigerant Management, Optimum Energy Performance, On-Site Renewable Energy, Enhanced Refrigerant Management, Measurement and Verification, Green Power. (35 points Possible)

• Materials and Resources - Storage and Collection of Recyclables, Building Reuse, Construction Waste Management, Materials Reuse, Recycled Content, Regional Materials, Rapidly Renewable Materials, Certified Wood. (14 Points Possible)

• Indoor Environmental Quality - Minimum IAQ Performance, Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control, Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring, Increased Ventilation, Construction IAQ Management, Low Emitting Materials, Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control, Controllability of Systems, Thermal Comfort and Daylight and Views.
  (15 points Possible)

• Innovation and Design Process - Innovation in Design and LEED Accredited Professional. (6 Points Possible)

• Regional Bonus Credit - Regional specific environmental priority. (4 Points Possible)

The two most important of the LEED areas in which High Standard can directly and indirectly help gain points are Energy and Atmosphere (EA) and Materials and Resources (MR).

Energy and Atmosphere
Credit EA Prerequisite 2 – Minimum Energy Performance, is obtained by providing a minimum energy performance level for the entire building envelope. Specifying the use of High Standard's energy efficient insulated panels for window, curtain wall, storefront or door panels along with high efficiency glazing products, can make a significant contribution toward the reduction of energy consumption.

Credit EA 1 – Optimize Energy Performance. This credit is obtained by optimizing the building's energy consumption and performance. High Standard’s insulated panel product line allows you the freedom to expand into very high levels of energy reduction with R-values up to 29.5 for a 4” thick panel.

Materials and Resources
Credits MR 4.1 (10%) and 4.2 (20%) – Recycled Content, credits are obtained by using building materials that contain recycled content. The aluminum used by our finished aluminum suppliers contains between 14% and 80% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material, depending on the supplier and the product. The steel core of our porcelain is made from a minimum of 30% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material. For a specific job, we will provide a letter certifying the recycled content of the specified panel.

Credits MR 5.1 (10%) and 5.2 (20%) – Regional Materials. In order for materials to be eligible for credits 5.1 & 5.2 they must not only be manufactured within 500 miles of the site, but must be built from materials that have been extracted, harvested, or recovered from within the same 500 miles. This is a significant revision from version 2.0 of the LEED rating system. Our aluminum suppliers and several of our substrate and insulation suppliers are located within a 500 mile radius of our factory. If your project is also within a 500 mile radius of our factory (see map), we will provide you with a letter certifying the percentage of the specified panel that originates within that same 500 mile radius.

500 mile radius map
click for larger view

Credit MR 7 – Certified Wood. The tempered hardboard substrates that are used in our insulated panels are 80-100% produced from replanted forest material.

Credit MR 7 & 8 - Heat Island Effect and Light Pollution Reduction. Most of the colors supplied us by our aluminum suppliers are solar-reflectant with a reflectivity of at least 0.25. Thus, our panels can help reduce heat absorption and reflection. Use of our panels in window systems will minimize the exit of interior lighting and may also generate internal reflectance of ambient light.

Some Frequently Misunderstood LEED Credits
Credits 3.1 and 3.2 – Materials Reuse, - These credits are gained by using materials that are salvaged from an existing structure and then reused in a new building or left in place during a refurbishing project. New panel products using recycled materials do not qualify.

Credits EQ 4.1 and 4.2 – Low Emitting Materials. These credits are meant for adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings that are applied "on site". New panel products manufactured in the factory do not qualify for this credit.

Credits MR 5.1 and 5.2 – Regional Materials. The version of LEED 2.0 is very different from LEED 2.2 and LEED 2009 in their requirements for this credit. Be sure to request documentation proving the manufacturer uses raw materials that are regional to the job site as well as the fabrication.

Credit 7.1 – Thermal Comfort, this credit area is meant for the design of the Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning system. New window and curtain wall products (including panels) do not qualify here.

REMEMBER: ONLY BUILDINGS ARE CERTIFIED. The USGBC does not certify, promote, or endorse any products, companies, or individuals. Products may only contribute to the requirements needed to gain points that are given toward a building’s LEED rating.