The dreaded tax season is here again. Are you aware of tax credits that would lessen your burden? Do you know that you could earn tax credits if you choose to build with pre-engineered metal buildings?
Combining pre-engineered metal buildings with cool metal roofing and renewable energy systems can earn for building owners, precious tax credits. And these may take the form of federal and local tax credits, especially for renewable energy systems like solar panels and wind turbines.
Two rating systems currently in use today are the Energy Star by the Green Building Initiative and the LEED from the Green Building Council. To earn tax credits, buildings must have on-site renewable energy systems that significantly reduce the structure’s energy consumption.
On their own, pre-engineered metal buildings are already recognized for their energy efficiency and sustainability. Modern insulation systems installed in pre-engineered metal buildings greatly reduces the need for cooling and heating equipment, On the other hand, the use of steel, a high recyclable material, makes pre-engineered metal buildings he ultimate example of sustainable construction – no trees destroyed and less material wastes to be dumped in landfills.
Federal tax credits can be earned if owners of pre-engineered metal buildings install photovoltaic panels, solar water-heating and solar-lighting systems. These renewable energy systems harness the power of the sun to generate electricity needed to heat, cool and to provide hot water. Tax credits can be as high as $2,000 each for the use of a photovoltaic system and a solar water heating system.
Pre-engineered metal buildings can also be incorporated with cool metal roofs that reflect the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Metal roofing products coated with “cool roof” pigments have earned high Energy Star ratings. Aside from reduced cooling energy load, other benefits of cool metal roofs include reduced air pollution and more comfortable indoor environment for the building occupants.
Other energy saving elements of pre-engineered metal buildings are skylights. These skylights allow for natural light to come in, greatly reducing the need for electrical lighting. Besides, they also provide natural ventilation. Skylights are also rated for their energy efficiency that’s why they are used wildly for pre-engineered metal buildings across the states, regardless of climate type,
Posts Tagged ‘Energy Star’
High Marks for Pre-engineered Metal Buildings
Sunday, March 11th, 2012Energy Star and Pre-engineered Steel Buildings
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products, which has its origins in the United States of America. Although originally intended as a volunteer program by the EPA, it helped promote the use of energy efficient products by labeling them with the Energy Star logo.
Today, aside from major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, etc., Energy Star is also making its presence felt in the construction industry, especially that of pre-engineered steel buildings. The roof and walls are parts of pre-engineered steel buildings that are constantly exposed to the elements, making them the largest areas that greatly affect the efficiency of these structures.
Whereas before only light colored roofs have Energy Star rating, today various roof colors, including dark ones, are Energy Star approved and therefore energy efficient.
Using cool metal roofing for pre-engineered steel buildings helps lower energy consumption significantly and aids in reducing Urban Heat Island Effect.
Pre-engineered steel buildings can be designed with any type of slope. In order for a roof color to carry the Energy Star seal, it must have a solar reflective value greater than 0.65 for low slope and greater than 0.25 for steep slope. Solar reflectivity is the fraction of the sun’s energy reflected over a surface. The higher the solar reflectivity, the less energy is needed to cool down a pre-engineered steel building.
Energy Star approved reflective roofing for pre-engineered steel buildings reflect more of the sun’s rays, lowering roof surface temperature by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, these roof products can help reduce the amount of air conditioning requirement of pre-engineered steel buildings. Reduction of peak cooling demand can range from 10 percent to 15 percent.