The quest for LEED recognition is part of an overall marketing program aimed at raising awareness about mechanical insulation in Canada. After exhausting attempts to work with CaGBC to move forward with the LEED-specific part of the initiative, TIAC is looking to National Insulation Association (NIA), its American counterpart, as that organization also works to understand why references to mechanical insulation are vague at best in LEED.

Steve Clayman is a consultant to TIAC tasked with establishing a marketing program for the association and industry. In a perfect world, says Clayman, mechanical insulation would be in a separate, points-earning category within the Energy and Atmosphere section that would specifically state the minimum insulation requirements as per ASHRAE 90.1 and the Model National Energy Code, and then lay out the specifics of what thickness would achieve certain percentage reductions in energy consumption, and also demonstrate the reduction in GHG emissions. But reaching this ambitious goal is a long way off, he adds, mainly because CaGBC relies on USGBC for amendment direction, and both organizations say mechanical insulation is adequately covered in the current code.

The current energy efficiency guidelines within LEED reference ASHRAE 90.1 and the Model National Energy Code, and within those there is specific reference to pipe and duct insulation in the form of a table that shows a range of temperatures, applications, and pipe insulation thickness. CaGBC says mechanical insulation is adequately covered because of specific reference to these documents, but Clayman doesn’t agree. In general terms for the entire building, any hope of earning LEED points depends on reference to the two documents, however, the specific reference to mechanical insulation only provides minimum thicknesses.

“They could do better,” says Clayman. “Within LEED there are points given for percentage increase in energy savings for the entire building. Our point is that the effect on energy consumption and GHGs are quantifiable with the incorporation of the 3EPlus software program.”

3EPlus is an insulation thickness software program developed by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) that measures, among other things, the energy savings and GHG reductions of various thicknesses of insulation.

Clayman has been trying to get his chance to make these points to CaGBC, but the process has been lengthily and largely unsuccessful. “Actually it reached a point where people weren’t returning phone calls,” he says. But he did eventually get an answer.

CaGBC follows the USGBC’s direction in amendments to LEED, says Clayman. “They really just take what is developed in the states and Canadianize it. Though the CaGBC has a technical committee, they are not prepared to initiate any major change in the LEED document independent of their southern counterpart.”

But the situation in the U.S, is much the same. Ron King, past president of NIA, currently acts as a consultant for the group and is working with USGBC to understand the process by which LEED is developed so he can hopefully come up with the answers the industry is looking for. USGBC looks at a holistic approach to building design, says King, meaning it has base calculations (a building will produce X number of emissions and consume X amount of energy) depending on the components of a building. The incremental energy savings of various technologies that can earn the building LEED points is measured with computer modelling programs, which assign a holistic baseline number to a project based on the type, size, and components. Energy-saving technologies like solar panels, thermal windows, or a change in the building’s orientation are plugged into the software, which will then output a holistic rating that directly relates to which level of LEED designation might be achieved.

This is where it gets tricky for mechanical insulation,which doesn’t necessarily fit into a building model that measures incremental impacts on a holistic scale. “If youincrease the insulation by a 1/2 inch does it really have that great an impact to the holistic building?” says King. “We aren’t sure.” However, about 25 per cent of the USGBC process looks at energy savings and GHG reductions, two major selling points for mechanical insulation.

“It’s never going to be the case that increasing the thickness of mechanical insulation is going to accomplish the entire certification. But from a return on investment perspective, do you spend $10 on increasing insulation thickness or on solar panels? Our argument would be to do both.”

Although the 3EPlus program does take GHG reductions and energy savings into account, having computer modelling programs do the same isn’t as easy as it sounds. “You’re only dealing with incremental pieces based on ASHRAE 90.1,” says King. “We are trying to scope that out to understand it.”

King, along with other representatives from NIA, ismeeting with USGBC over the summer to discuss findingsand solutions to understanding USGBC’s process andhow mechanical insulation can be included in it, eitherthrough modelling or other areas for LEED credits such asInnovation. “In a realistic sense, the goal is to understandthe process and work within it instead of being singled out as different,” says King. “We want to be part of thesolution, and compete on the same level.”

Moving forward in the discussions is a necessary andrealistic advancement for the industry, says Clayman, asis a more comprehensive and specific place for mechanicalinsulation within LEED.

“Insulation contractors quoting on LEED projects are being asked for the percentage increase in energy efficiency, and what the current LEED reference provides is kind of opposite to what the consultants are requesting,” says Clayman. “And the idea of increasing thicknesses is there in minds of LEED consultants because they are asking for it.”

“Because USGBC influences what goes on here,” says Clayman, “our best bet is to work in two areas: to continue to show our face to CaGBC and to liaise with NIA and the work they are trying to do.”