The entry way is a first impression of a business and gives you the opportunity to open the door to a green, sustainable image. Like windows, the door can help both seal in the savings or let out unnecessary costs through drafts.
For this edition of BizEnergy’s How To, we are going to help you find the most energy-efficient and appropriate entry way for your business. After all, energy savings has become a key part of the business decision-making process for many companies. It’s official — green buildings are in!
The traditional wooden door
While this classic option has been around for a long time, there are ways of tweaking this traditional pick and making it more energy-efficient. To avoid wasting energy through air-leakage, weatherstripping and/or caulking will likely be necessary.
When selecting the best weatherstripping material, you’ll need to take in consideration your budget, the amount of traffic, the weather and preferred style. The main options available are vinyl, metal and felt or open-cell foams.
For more information on weatherstripping, check this out.
The modern energy-efficient door
Perfect for modern green buildings, energy-efficient doors are often made out of a steel skin with a polyurethane foam insulation at its core — it’s often complete with a magnetic strip that will ensure the door closes properly, according to the Department of Energy.
“The R-values of most steel and fiberglass-clad entry doors range from R-5 to R-6, not including the effects of a window,” reports the Department of Energy, “For example, a ½ inch (3.81cm) thick door without a window offers more than five times the insulating value of a solid wood door of the same size.”
Because a door that provides insulation is also opening up to energy efficiency. This door is ideal for those in the retail, small industrial, restaurant and small business sectors.
The revolving door
Popular amongst those in the accommodations industry and commercial green buildings, revolving doors are excellent for energy conservation and are a sustainable option.
While folks understand the general idea that revolving doors can benefit the heating and cooling situation by reducing drafts in buildings, there is now Energy Savings Calculation Software by Boon Edam available to check out just how much energy is actually being conserved.
But Boon Edam didn’t stop there — they’re the same folks who built the world’s first energy-generating revolving door back in 2008. Installed in the Netherlands, this revolving door generates roughly 4,600kwh of energy per year.
As a resource for companies that are making the most energy-efficient doors, check this out.
If you’re curious about the energy consumption in your own business, take our free Energy Audit!
Image credit: Dan_DC
