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NRG Block Architectural Products Magazine

2022 Product Innovation Award Winner

The judge's comment:

"A nice option for highly sustainable projects." (12/15/2022) Everybody wants a lower carbon footprint. Why is NRG Block a popular low-carbon solution? Because NRG Block has proven effective R-values of R-50 plus in climate zones 5 and 6 (see case studies below).

FACTS: Other insulated blocks (top photos) have thermal bridges. Thermal bridges waste energy. NRG blocks (bottom photos) have zero thermal bridges. NRG blocks save energy. Why follow the science? Because the science says: "Thermal bridging should be minimized in designs and carefully calculated as it is considered to be the main source of thermal performance deficiency in masonry walls." Source: Journal of Building Physics:Thermal resistance of masonry walls: a literature review on influence factors, evaluation, and improvement .
These are exciting times: New mix designs will lower the embodied carbon of NRG block, and complement its already exceptionally low operating carbon.
Architects and Engineers, PLEASE NOTE:
Please protect your NRG spec with the words "continuously insulated concrete block with zero thermal bridges". Everyone loses when inferior products are substituted "as equals". Thank you!
ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS: If there is any information that you need but cannot find, please reach out to me at (716) 947-9298, or mjww@verizon.net. If I can't pick up, please leave a message. I will always return your call within one business day. Thanks! Marty Walters, General Manager, NRG Insulated Block.
NRG DETAILS BELOW:
SUBMITTALS: Downloads in red below. NRG 8" block available in full high or half high. R-value of 125 pcf NRG 8, R= 13.77 U-.072 , Heat Capacity=HC = 10.08 Btu/ft2 NRG 10" is available in full high. R-value of 125 pcf NRG 10, R= 13.83 U-.072 , Heat Capacity=HC = 13.86 Btu/ft2 NRG 12" is available in full and half high. R-value of 125 pcf NRG 12, R= 13.88 U-.072 , Heat Capacity=HC = 16.06 Btu/ft2 Note that these are steady state R-values that meet stringent energy codes in climate zones 1-6. Effective R-value will be much higher. Why is this? Steady state R-values measure thermal performance in a lab environment. Effective R-values take into consideration time of day and changing seasons, so effective R-values are a more accurate measure of NRG's thermal performance. NRG buildings in climate zones 5 and 6 have documented effective R-values of better than R-54 (see description in case studies below: grocery store, church). Download NRG 8 R-value sheet. Download NRG 8 2 hour fire rating. Download NRG specification sheet. Download NRG 8 Structural Design Guide. Download NRG 10 R-value sheet. Download NRG 10 block test with 3 hour fire rating. Download NRG 12 R-value sheet. Download NRG 12 block test with 4 hour fire rating. Download NRG 12 Flexural test.
NRG 8 Full High Continuously Insulated Concrete Masonry Unit The world's only load bearing structural 8 inch cmu with continuous insulation. Zero Energy Ready when you are.
NRG 8 Dimension Drawing
click here for jpeg
NRG 8 half high insulated cmu
NRG 8 CADBLOX Drawings
click here for drawings in pdf
NRG 8 continuous insulation using sash and half sash plus rigid EPS inserts. Use NRG and standard blocks to achieve continuous insulation.
NRG 8 continuous insulation at corners.
NRG 8 corner before rigid EPS insert.
NRG 8 corner exterior view.
NRG 8 Revit Plan .rfa
NRG 8 Revit Section .rfa
NRG 8, 10, 12 CAD set .dwg
NRG 8 Dormitory .dwg

NRG 8" insulated block knockout bond beam

NRG 10" insulated block: proven effective R-value of greater than R-54 in climate zone 6.

Don Reed had a problem. His wood-framed grocery store burned to the ground. Looking to rebuild, Don met Frank Kennedy, inventor of NRG insulated block. Don recognized that NRG's insulated thermal mass could save him time, money, and energy. Although Don's engineers recommended two ten-ton rooftop mounted AC units for the 6800 square foot store, Don agreed to hold off installing them until a later date. He installed roof truss AC supports in case he needed them in the future. He never did. We visited Don' store in Genesee, PA, one hot August day, when it was 96 degrees outside at 3pm. In the middle of Don's store, after the doors had been opening and closing since 7am, what do you suppose the temperature was? Click here for the answer. We compared an energy model of Don's store, built with R-54 walls to the actual energy use intensity. Click here to take a look at how well NRG performed.
NRG 10 dimension drawing .pdf
NRG 10 Revit Plan .rfa
Frank Kennedy and Don Reed

NRG 12" insulated block: proven effective R-value of greater than R-54 in climate zone 5.

Ridgeway Bible Church in Lockport, NY sits on a ridge road not far from Lake Ontario, about 30 miles north of Buffalo. The 38,000 square foot church used NRG 12" block. The natural gas provider gave the owners a preconstruction estimate of about $2000 per month to heat the structure, which has office and community space, as well as a large worship area. After a few months of cold winter conditions, the pastor called Frank Kennedy, inventor of NRG, and was concerned that he had not had a gas bill over $565. The gas company came out and replaced the gas meter, but the amount of the gas bills did not go up. With NRG, the dial just spins a lot slower. We compared projected consumption of an energy model of the NRG church (modeled all things being equal, except R-54 walls in the model) with the actual utility bills. Click here to see how NRG measures up.

Get the deep-dive here.

Although this course is not currently approved for AIA CEU, it has the same information as one we previously offered as an approved CEU. Please click the button to view the course.
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NRG 12" block
NRG 12 at openings option 1
NRG 12" Revit Plan .rfa
NRG at openings option 2
NRG wall details .pdf
NRG 12 at corners
NRG 12 inch insulated block bond beam

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