Photographer: Andi Whiskey

Access to health care is vital to the well-being of every community. Going beyond quality care, hospitals and health providers also are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact on the communities they serve. Health care facilities’ continuous care, high-tech equipment, advanced IT network, cleanroom standards, sizeable staff and large physical structure add up to a significant carbon footprint.

Concluding our blog series, we summarize how fenestration and framing systems with high thermal performance, sun shades and natural ventilation are intentional architectural elements that help improve energy efficiency, lower emissions and save on utility costs.

Tubelite Therml=Block® systems achieve exceptional thermal performance, helping health care facilities and buildings meet Model Energy Codes and stretch goals for energy-efficient operations. For example, Tubelite Therml=Block TU14000 Series Storefront features thermally broken framing with dual-cavity poured-and-debridged (P&D) ultra-thermal barrier. This system’s framing can achieve U-factors as low as 0.30 and, depending on the  glazing, as low as 0.24 for center of glass.

Integrating Tubelite operable vents into curtain wall and storefront provides an option for emergency ventilation and fresh air. Where regional climates and seasonal conditions allow, natural ventilation can reduce HVAC loads and associated energy costs.

Tubelite MaxBlock® aluminum sun shades also are engineered for compatibility with its curtain wall, window wall and storefront. Managing solar heat gain by shading vision glass, these exterior sun control devices allow natural light into the building envelope without obscuring the view and add distinctive visual elements. Reducing solar heat gain and the corresponding cooling demands can further save utility expenses with energy-efficient performance, while fostering comfortable interiors.

Supporting energy-efficient, code-compliant, sustainable facility design decisions, Tubelite offers a range of technical documentation. These can include environmental product declarations (EPDs), approval through the National Fenestration Rating Council’s Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Product Certification Program, and Declare Label as Living Building Challenge™ Red List Free for anodized aluminum fenestration and framing.

All Tubelite framing systems can be specified with EcoLuminum®, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition with Linetec’s eco-friendly, durable finishes. These protective finishes minimize maintenance and repairs. At the end of their long life on the building, these aluminum doors and framing can be locally recycled.

The many attributes of Tubelite curtain wall, window wall, storefront, entrance systems, as well as its vents and sun shades, also may assist projects seeking certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system and other sustainability and wellness programs.

Personalized Support

Tubelite, EFCO, and Wausau high-performance aluminum fenestration and framing systems contribute to code-compliant, welcoming, comfortable, clean, safe and sustainable health care facilities. From energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality to durability and disaster preparedness, these essential buildings are optimally suited to nurture positive patient outcomes, staff well-being and community resilience.

To learn more about how our products can support your next health care project, contact your local Architectural Sales Representative for personalized assistance.