We here at GoMech spend a lot of time pondering the world of KoolDuct. During a normal, random, conversation it turned to my previous post. 806 billion kWh is impressive it translated into about $207.78 saved in energy (I’m assuming electrical energy at 8.5 cents per kWh) per person in the US. This is great, but the argument is this is not realistic. I would agree. It would be not only difficult but unfeasible to deconstruct every business and residence in the US and replace it with KoolDuct to pursue these savings. The main point still stands – new construction and renovation should be using this product. The savings does imply a second point. If the US was not so far behind the rest of the world in the use of insulated foam panels, these savings would already be built in the current US infrastructure – more to come.

There is also another argument. These savings can be met with other products such as resealing joints with standard duct tape, etc. And again I would agree that this would produce these savings. I hope people do take action on this. Although, people will be missing other savings not implied in my post. These include and not limited to; indoor air quality gains (IAQ), the savings of the insulation (we have only been speaking to the sealing of ducts), install cost and longevity.       

Let me strengthen my argument by first illuminating my bias. I like the product KoolDuct and think everyone renovating or under new construction should be using it. In the following I would like to show you why. The US releases more CO2 than any country in the world (See Figure 1). U.S., homes account for 21% of all CO2 emissions¹ and business account for business account for 17% of the total². Of this release, businesses and residents use a combined total 38% or 2242 million metric tons (in 2001) (see Figure 2)³. The vast majority of energy used in a home is for heating and cooling. According to the DOE, Energy Information Administration's 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey anywhere from 38% to 70% of homes energy consumption is spent on heating and cooling⁴. Businesses data on the energy consumption is estimated to be similar. That leaves between 852 – 1569.4 million metric tons of CO2 being released through heating and cooling. Typical duct systems lose 25 to 40 percent of the heating or cooling energy⁵. That equates to 213 – 627.6 million metric tons of CO2 leaking out into the environment. Keep in mind that that number is pure waste! This translates in to about 806.68 billion kWh of electrical power per year using the DOE calculator (http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/pubs/calcmeth.htm)⁶.

1. U.S. Green Building Council Doubles Local LEED for Homes Network: Press Release. http://www.usgbc.org/News/PressReleaseDetails.aspx?ID=3585. Retrieved 03-31-08
2. See Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggrpt/carbon.html
3. See Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggrpt/carbon.html
4. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, “Energy Information Administration, 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey,” 2001
5. US Department of Energy. (1999). Improving the efficiency of your duct system.
6. (http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/pubs/calcmeth.htm)

The environmental impact of fabrication of HVAC ductwork, although small in comparison to many industries, it is a significant contributor to air pollution.  If you might doubt this, visit any sheet metal shop and wipe your hand across the floor...even if the shop has a ventilation system, you will likely have a hand covered with glass fibers and soot.  Burning contributes to most processes used for cutting metal and hence, much of the environmental issues stem from this process.  New cleaner cutting methods, such as water jets, are available, but the costs associated with these low pollution methods are very costly and out of reach for almost all contractors in the HVAC industry.  

Another impact is energy from utility.  Sheet metal fabrication contributes to this in two ways; one being the energy consumed by the machinery used in the fabrication of metal and two, the costs associated with heating the space required to house a sheet metal shop.  Both the process...and the space required for the process, require energy.  KoolDuct and IFP (Insulated Foam Panel) fabrication methods do not require nearly as much energy to fabricate and the space for the processes required for production of the product is much less, hence, energy savings.  

Attached I have included (2) studies relating to experiences at Commercial Comfort Systems, Inc. in Maumee, Ohio.  In these studies, it becomes apparent why KoolDuct or IFP fabrication process are advantageous.  Reducing environmental impacts...can and does have an impact on your bottom line.  Koolduct provides advantages for the environment, your customer and your own sustainability. (SEE .pdf files below photos.)

Sheet Metal Shop Costs.pdf (113.24 kb)

 KoolDuct Shop Costs.pdf (125.32 kb)

Being a KoolDuct contractor is an environmentally conscience thing to do.  KoolDuct addresses almost all green issues…green house gas emissions, zero ozone depletion, very high R-value (exceeding the 2006 IECC energy codes), extremely air tight, low or virtually non-existent carbon footprint, and outstanding Indoor Air Quality.  A great deal of energy is required to make steel and fiberglass…as the production of these materials require heat generated by the burning of fossil fuels...prompting the question: Is there a better way? 

Not only is KoolDuct itself  "green" from it's manufacturing standpoint...but the use of it promotes considerably lower energy consumption over any air distribution system available...making it an excellent "high efficiency" product in the HVAC field. KoolDuct is truly a product that your customer is asking for as they are being better educated about global issues and rising energy costs.  If you are not using it...why?