Architects and Engineers

NRG Block
Architectural Products Magazine 2022 Product Innovation Award WinnerThe 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).

As we transition to all-electric HVAC systems, NRG's high heat capacity and long thermal lag time enable HVAC demand to shift to periods of off-peak rates.

NRG buildings can use less energy 
AND less expensive energy. 

 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.

Below:
Note how in each course, the NRG 8 is "flipped" to maintain continuous insulation.  

CASE STUDY:
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. 
Not only do NRG buildings use less energy, they can use less expensive energy as well (especially as we transition to all-electric HVAC).

NRG 10
dimension drawing .pdf

NRG 10
Revit Plan
.rfa

Frank Kennedy and Don Reed

CASE STUDY:
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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