Investors and constructors are increasingly requiring proof that their buildings meet sustainability criteria based on certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, QNG or DGNB.
EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) provide architects, planners, investors and building certifiers with valuable information such as the carbon footprint of a construction product. Schüco even offers EPDs for its own façade units at the touch of a button via the SchüCal app.
This goes beyond generic data, providing specific information about the Schüco systems. The simulation of various different façade designs means you can see the expected carbon footprint and optimise it accordingly.
Alongside choosing suitable materials, efficient operating concepts can also have a positive impact on the carbon footprint of the building envelope. Highly insulated façade units and energy-efficient systems have now become the standard. Automated building management with night-time cooling or heat-recovery ventilation systems also facilitate a significant reduction in operational carbon.
Together with Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) for decentralised energy generation and efficient maintenance and retrofitting concepts, architects and planners have everything they need to manage the carbon footprint for building operation in a targeted way.
Improving the CO₂ balance with the PVC-U GWP assistant
Fabricators can determine how the various PVC material classes affect the GWP value using the handy PVC-U GWP assistant for PVC-U systems. Depending on the material class, GWP values of between 0.76 and 2.30 kg CO₂e per kilogram of PVC material can already be achieved. Factors such as profile sizes, surface finishes, glazing and reinforcement options are also taken into account when calculating the GWP value for the entire unit.