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WHY CHOOSE NATURAL-THERM® SPRAY FOAM INSULATION?

Natural Polymers can get your more LEED credits over other spray foam insulation currently offered in the industry.

The following are suggestions of how Natural-Therm® Insulation might be incorporated into a project in order to achieve LEED credits. This list is by no means exhaustive. Please consult with the LEED Accredited Professional on your project to determine if Natural-Therm® can be used to gain additional LEED credits.

LEED Credit Category – Energy & Atmosphere

Prerequisite 2 – Minimum Energy Performance
Requires the building to comply with ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 or the local energy code, whichever is more stringent.

When Natural-Therm® is installed into a structure, the insulating and air sealing properties of the foam will provide an envelope that will facilitate the design of an efficient system.

Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance
Requires a reduction in design energy cost compared to the energy cost budget.

When Natural-Therm® is installed into your structure, it provides the building with a sealed envelope, allowing the designer to downsize HVAC systems and supply the required ventilation. Natural-Therm®, when used with a whole building concept, can help achieve the 10 possible points.

LEED Credit Category – Materials & Resources

Credit 2 – Construction Waste Management
Requires recycling and/or salvaging construction, demolition and land clearing waste.

Natural-Therm® contributes a lower amount of waste materials by weight, and can help projects reach the 50% to 75% target for diverting waste from the landfill.

Credit 5.1–5.2 – Regional Materials
Requires use of building materials and products that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles of the project site.

Natural-Therm® product is manufactured in West Chicago, IL.

Credit 6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials
Requires use of rapidly renewable products and materials (made from plants harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter) for 2.5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project.

All Natural-Therm® products integrate annually renewable vegetable oils, so they contribute to the rapidly renewable credit. Depending on the size, cost, and amount of the project insulated, Natural-Therm® can contribute a portion of the required 2.5% of rapidly renewable products and materials.

Materials & Resources (MR)

Credit 4: Recycled Content (1-2 points)
Materials with recycled content such that the sum of post-consumer recycled content plus 1/2 of the pre-consumer content constitutes at least 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points), based on cost, of the total value of the materials in the project.

Natural-Therm® Thermal Building Insulation products contain 20% post-consumer and 30% pre-consumer recycled content, for an industry leading 50% total recycled content.

LEED Credit Category – Indoor Environmental Quality

Credit 4.1 ñ Low Emitting Materials: Adhesives & Sealants
Reduce the concentration of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well being of installers and occupants.

Natural-Therm® products utilize water as the blowing agent or Natural-Therm® 2.0 PCF uses Enovate® a Zero Ozone Depletion Potential and low Global Warming Potential blowing agent. Enovate® is not considered a VOC in the US. All products meet the LEED maximum VOC content requirement of less than 50 g/L.

Credit 6.1 Controlling of Systems – Thermal Comfort Credit 7.1 – Thermal Comfort
Requires a thermally comfortable environment and supports the productivity and well being of building occupants.

Natural-Therm® can help a building comply with ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 by insulating and air sealing the building, which allows for controlled ventilation strategies that enhance uniform temperatures, humidity control and pollutant reduction. Without the sealing qualities of spray foam insulation, thermal comfort control and ventilation for individual occupants would be very difficult to achieve.



LEED Credit Category – Innovation & Design Process

Credit 1 – Innovation in Design
Provides design teams and projects with an opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by the LEED Green Building Rating System.

The superior performance characteristics of Natural-Therm® and its installation flexibility contribute to this credit in two ways. First, Natural-Therm® allows easy installation in areas that do not allow simple installation of conventional insulation products. Second, Natural-Therm® is guaranteed to perform to the stated specifications for the life of the structure.

The above are suggestions only. It is recommended that a complete review of the LEED Green Building Rating System be made prior to applying for the listed prerequisites and credits. The LEED System can be reviewed at www.usgbc.org.

Natural-Therm® is a spray polyurethane foam insulation. During application, precautions should be taken by applicators, helpers and building occupants to protect them from fumes, mists and spills.

View the life cycle of spray foam insulation to learn more.

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