Industrial: Lowering Carbon Footprints

In 2022, SMACNA member United Mechanical, headquartered in Rockland, Massachusetts, helped a Massachusetts pharmaceutical production facility lower its carbon footprint and increase the energy efficiency of its building.

United Mechanical partners with general contractors and property managers to devise economical solutions to meet HVAC needs and aggressive construction schedules.

The company offers a range of services, including sheet metal, coordination and fabrication, as well as in-house BIM capabilities and managing projects with VDC. Its growth to a full-service fabrication facility since 1991 is a result of a focus on details, as well as a commitment to service and craftsmanship. United Mechanical prides itself on the fact that 80% of its business comes from repeat clients. 

This pharmaceutical facility needed complex mechanical solutions, and United Mechanical had 30 years of experience to bring to the job.

SOME BENEFITS OF USING PHENOLIC DUCT
This pharmaceutical production facility required more than 8,000 square feet of Thermaduct’s Thermaround outdoor round ductwork to give the application’s HVAC system a smooth aluminum interior with an R-12 phenolic insulated value.

By using phenolic materials in this application, the medical facility was able to see the following benefits at its new location:

Lower Embodied Carbon Materials – The use of phenolic materials and fabrication practices allowed for a reduced carbon HVAC system when compared to traditional metal and insulation alternatives.

• Weather Resistant Cladding – United used Thermaround’s 1000-micron vinyl cladding and its assembly process to ensure a continuous cladded surface with minimal seams. Phenolic duct is fully sealed in each corner with a continuous bead of sealant supplied by the manufacturer in all four corners of the duct section. Longitudinal seams can be secured on the exterior with panel fasteners, which are metal clips with teeth that grip into the phenolic and are sealed with UL 181 approved tape.
• Closed Cell, High R Value Insulation – Using phenolic materials with high-insulated values helped the facility meet energy code requirements, using less space.
• Low Leakage Flanged Connections – United Mechanical had a relatively easy installation process using offset couplings and flanged connections. The manufacturer offers online training for tips on proper installation of these connections.

DUCTWORK’S ROLL IN LOWERING EMBODIED CARBON
Lowering embodied carbon of HVAC systems is a growing conversation in the HVAC industry.

With such a heavy dependence on high carbon producing materials such as rolled steel and glass insulation, ductwork has many times been left out of that conversation. In 2004, when phenolic materials entered the U.S. Market, a true low carbon alternative became available to contractors and building owners. This material offers less embodied carbon during manufacturing of the insulated panels and lower energy usage for fabrication into ductwork.

United Mechanical’s teamwork philosophy enabled its project team of designers, engineers, subcontractors and vendors to work cooperatively, ensuring that the end results exceeded the customer’s expectations.