Why SIPs Equal Multiplication

October 7, 2014

I’ve got a simple equation, even for those who hate math. Here’s the story: David Watters, owner of The Beamery, designed a 4,000 square-foot, two-level home in Nashville, Indiana. Built to Passive House standards with Thermocore insulated wall and roof panels, the home uses an 18,000 BTU heat pump as its only heating and cooling source. Throughout last summer, indoor temperatures stayed between 68 and 72 degrees.

First let me ask: How warm did your home get last summer? And how much air conditioning did that require?

Now let’s do the math on the home David designed. First the homeowners saved on initial costs. No expensive air conditioner. No furnace. Just a very small heat pump. That’s because Structural Insulated Panels don’t need much help to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. Think of it as SIPs doing the heavy lifting so the heating and cooling system can sit back and relax.

Now let’s add in ongoing savings. Running an 18,000 BTU heat pump costs significantly less than a typical heating and cooling system—each and every month.

View The Beamery Project