Flowcon is a Green Product

An EPA report showed that in the United States, buildings account for:

• 39% of total energy use
• 12% of the total water consumption
• 68% of total electricity consumption
• 38% of the carbon dioxide emissions

Here at A.D.C. we see this as a problem. Now we can’t get rid of buildings but we can make them more efficient and environmentally friendly. Our fabric duct systems can enhance a buildings design by creating a better work environment and leaving less of a carbon footprint, and don’t worry this doesn’t mean that our ducts will all be tie dyed. There are many benefits to using a fabric duct system such as environmental, economic, and social.

One of the ways that this can be noticed is improved air quality for a more healthy indoor work area. This can be achieved through more effective air distribution throughout an environment which results in less energy consumed for the same effect.

Another area is less waste is generated thus making the carbon footprint smaller. Our ducts can be shipped more efficiently with less packing where it can be used right out of the box, no packing materials to dispose of, also there is less energy used to ship a lighter product, and that generates less shipping costs to you. This also helps in less energy and gas used to move the ducts from our factory to the job site, in all, this helps with less emissions generated by transport. Natural resources are also being conserved due to the fact that the boxes and plastic used can be recycled.

Having a product ready at the site also helps to reduce material use, less energy is used during the installation process due to less tools/energy consumed and less time spent to install the end product.

Through all of this there are less greenhouse gas emissions along with the introduction and spread of pollutants.

There are economic benefits to touch upon and in no way is it limited to just these. Data showed that LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings consume, on average, 30% less energy. (HVACR BUSINESS Jan.2008). This is a great selling point for new occupants of a structure as well as for resale.

At the onset the system costs less to produce than sheet metal which will enhance the asset value and profit margin. Installation will cost less due to the ease, less man power, and hours spent to complete the install. The maintenance of these systems will be less through being able to launder the system rather than have to have someone come in and clean it out. Also the ducts are available in different colors so they can be aesthetically pleasing without having someone take time to paint the system and maintain the color. Also productivity can be higher with a better looking and more comfortable work area.

Another area to be addressed is the possible tax breaks that are available. The U.S. government has instituted the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which offers tax breaks to businesses for building energy-efficient buildings or making energy improvements to existing structures.

Using a fabric duct system can enhance the overall quality of life at the workspace. The system helps in the fact that overall air quality is improved through more efficient air distribution and through noise reduction. A recent study by the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability showed that “people working in green buildings are 5% to 16% more productive than those in conventional buildings.”

The other part is working in a building that is green gives a feeling that we may all be doing, or supporting, a cause that can only be beneficial in the long run to ourselves and others. This is why we, A.D.C., are in a building that is green where all of the heating, lighting, and water systems are high efficiency.

Building Green Article: "Bamboo in Construction"

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)