Solar Power and Sustainability
Andersen’s Commitment to the Environment
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Arizona does not have much in the way of fossil fuel reserves. However, it does have something even better — lots of sunshine. This natural resource provides tremendous renewable energy. In fact, the state’s per capita energy consumption is less than nearly 80 percent of that of other states, with most of Arizona’s renewable energy coming from solar power.
We’re all-in when it comes to sustainability. Caring for the environment is a top priority here at Andersen. This commitment takes two forms: the corporate operations and manufacturing side; and the product side, with the benefits directly realized by the end-user.
Supporting the Community and the Environment
First, we participate in clean energy initiatives in our manufacturing operations. For example, the Bayport, MN Andersen manufacturing facility, a 2.5 million square-foot plant, is steam-powered through the use of recycled sawdust from our onsite milling operations. We also help fuel our operations through use of secondhand thermal energy derived from a power plant in that area.
In addition, we participate in community efforts such as solar gardens and pollinator habitats, working with local agencies and businesses to introduce and maintain sustainable landscaping, both around our facilities and beyond.
Our dedication to supporting our communities and partners extends to other projects as well. This summer, we’ll participate in a Habitat for Humanity build, and we’re also seeking partnerships with organizations that support worthy causes our builder partners are passionate about.
Energy Efficient Building Products
We also strive to extend the sustainability benefits to builders, contractors, and the people who will ultimately live in the homes they construct. We make a point of analyzing the environmental inputs and outputs of our products throughout their lifetimes, from raw materials all the way through to end-of-life management.
The fact is, the right window construction has a significant impact on the sustainability of a home. ENERGY STAR® certified windows reduce heating and cooling costs, reducing drafts and excessive heat incursion through their efficient design.
First, the construction of the frame determines the degree of insulation and therefore the level of a window’s energy efficiency. For example, our composite Fibrex® material — an ingenious fusion of reclaimed wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer — is twice as strong as vinyl, longer lasting, and performs better when exposed to extreme temperatures like the Arizona heat. Mind-blowing statistic: Fibrex blocks thermal transfer almost 700 times better than aluminum frames do!
The right glass is also key to maximum efficiency. We offer SmartSun™ Glass, which blocks the heat of the sun while filtering out 95 percent of UV rays. There’s no need to reduce the size of the windows — and diminish views of the incredible, sunny landscapes around us — in order to control cooling costs.
Net Zero Energy Homes
Because Andersen® products are so energy-efficient, they’ve been utilized in some very interesting net-zero home construction projects. Designed by savvy architects to get the most energy bang for the buck, Andersen® windows were used for the greatest degree of passive solar gain. In one such Minneapolis project, the homeowners produced more energy than they used in their very first year, and that included charging both of their electric cars.
Sustainability Is Top of Mind
Increasingly, homebuyers are mindful of the energy-efficiency of the homes they select. Not only is there a critical financial consideration when it comes to utility costs — people are rapidly becoming more environmentally conscious and concerned about their energy footprint.
Andersen Professional Building Services can help you meet their sustainability needs.
