| Why SIPs? “Energy efficiency these days is imperative. I watched videos and saw that it was easy to put the
panels together myself. Because it was a project I could do myself, I know all the nuances of the house and
have touched every piece as it's gone together (I'm a bit of a perfectionist).”
Experience with SIPs on this project: “The SIPs have been remarkably sturdy and simple to erect, we
put up a full 40' wall @ 14' tall on a simple 2x6 sill plate (on the foundation) and it was solid as a rock after the
mastic dried.” The downside for Jake was the size and weight of the panels, which were difficult to maneuver
for “a few novice folks and a boom truck.”
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Article
SIPs: Part 3 of 6
By Brandon Helms, P.E., Maple Brook Engineering, Inc.
HVAC & Water Management
A properly sized heating and air conditioning system is vitally important to the success of a SIP structure. In
addition to being a larger upfront investment, an oversized air conditioning unit will run in short bursts, which
is less efficient. This “short cycling” cools the interior air quickly, but the air conditioning system does not run
long enough to effectively de-humidify the air. The result is a cool clammy environment, which is ideal to
promote mold growth. To avoid this situation, it is important HACs (heating and air conditioning contractors)
are not allowed to work on SIP buildings unless they are willing and able to properly size equipment.
The ventilation of the structure has to be carefully planned and executed, which can be accomplished as
simply as using bath and kitchen fans to exhaust air with a duct to introduce fresh air into the air handler.
Other more sophisticated methods, such as heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators
(ERVs), can be employed to manage proper ventilation.
One of the main reasons behind the meticulous care taken to ensure no air leakage occurs in SIPs is to
ensure no water vapor is allowed to enter the interior of the panels. Managing the humidity in the building is
the first step, but the proper sealing of all of the joints, particularly in the roof system, will make certain any
water vapor contained in the interior air is not allowed to leak into the roof system where the water may
condense. Because the SIP system is a closed system where no water vapor is allowed in, the roof no
longer needs to be ventilated. This also means ceilings follow roof lines, creating vaulted ceilings inside.
Green Building
SIPs fit well into a green building approach for both the renewable nature of the materials and the energy
conservation of completed structures. The OSB is made of farmed lumber and is free from Urea
Formaldehyde (no off-gassing hazard). The EPS used for the cores of the panels is an extremely stable
product and does not off-gas. It’s also completely recyclable and waste generated in the factory is re-ground
and cast into more EPS. A panel house uses substantially less lumber in the shell and a prefabricated panel
package greatly reduces the amount of onsite waste generated during construction when compared to
stick framing. From cradle to grave, panels are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to build.
About Us
Panel Source, Inc. is an Oregon-based distributor of Premier Building System’s structural insulated panels.
Our goal is to promote the inclusion of SIPs in the design phase and provide training for proper installation to
encourage high quality and sustainable building practices. We promote SIPs primarily through education for
design professions, construction specifiers, contractors, building departments, and homeowners. Our
primary area of focus is Oregon and Northern California, but we sell into any of the western US states
including Alaska and Hawaii. If you are interested in learning more about SIPs, please feel free to visit our
website and contact us to learn more about using them on a specific project or to schedule a presentation
with your firm or construction team
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