Home Improvement Process Saves on Energy Costs
09 November 2005 - 5:08AM
PR Newswire (US)
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- With energy prices
predicted to escalate dramatically this winter, ENERGY STAR, an
Environmental Protection Agency program, now offers an important
home improvement process called "Seal and Insulate." US
GreenFiber's primary product line, Cocoon(R) insulation, is a
qualified ENERGY STAR partner, and their product, used in walls and
attics, plays an important role in this residential energy
conservation process. "With cold weather around the corner and
President Bush's call to conserve, small actions -- like changing a
light bulb or weather-stripping the windows -- can benefit our
wallets and our nation's energy resources," said EPA Administrator
Stephen L. Johnson. "By taking a few common-sense steps to conserve
our home energy use, we can get the most out of our energy dollars
and keep more money in our pockets." The average American household
spends $1,500 annually on energy bills -- a number that may go up
as much as 50 percent this year. Almost half of that energy goes to
heating and cooling residences. The seal and insulate process has
two basic steps in home energy conservation: 1) seal all places
where air leaks in or out of a home; and, 2) add insulation. The
seal and insulate home improvement process controls energy costs,
makes homes more comfortable and helps the environment. As shown in
the illustration provided by the EPA, the most important place to
seal air leaks begins in the attic with open wall tops, leaking
HVAC ducts and holes around pipes, wires, flues, vents and
chimneys. Although often covered by insulation, holes can be
detected by looking for dirty insulation where air flows through
it. After sealing air leaks in the attic, the next place to focus
on is sealing the basement. Finally, all windows, doors, and
outlets should be sealed off from air flow with caulking and
weather stripping. To learn more about the process of sealing air
leaks, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051108/CLTU053) Once sealing
is completed, insulation must be added. The amount of insulation
needed depends on the climate, type of heating (gas, oil or
electricity) used, and the section of the house to be insulated.
The attic is the first area to consider because it is accessible
and, therefore, less expensive to insulate. One key benefit of
Cocoon cellulose blown-in insulation is that it can be added on top
of existing insulation. Once the attic is insulated, then
insulation should be added to side and basement walls. And after
all insulation is completed, a local heating and cooling contractor
should check combustion appliances to ensure they are venting
properly. Since insulation is measured in R-value, which is
resistant to heat flow, the higher the R-value, the greater the
insulating power. The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends R-38 to
R-49 for attics depending on the geographic climate zone and the
heat source. To view DOE's R-value recommendations, visit their web
site at http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/. Cocoon is
unique in that it helps to seal air leaks while also insulating
attics and walls to reduce escalating energy costs. All materials
needed to complete the ENERGY STAR's seal and insulate program are
available at building supply and home improvement centers. The
process can easily be completed by homeowners or professional
insulation contractors. If you have any questions, please visit our
website at http://www.cocooninsulation.com/ or call our customer
service at 800-228-0024. Cocoon insulation consists of an
earth-friendly, 85 percent recycled material and requires less
energy to produce than mineral fibers such as fiberglass. Cocoon
also reduces sound and has a Class-1 fire rating. The product, when
used in the attic and exterior walls, promotes thermal comfort. In
the interior walls, it also cuts down on the transmission of sound.
Established in 2000, US GreenFiber LLC is a quality-conscious
provider of Cocoon insulation, fire and sound products. Cocoon is
sold through major home centers, building supply retailers and
lumberyards in the US and Canada to the do-it-yourself and
contractor customer. US GreenFiber's products are also sold through
a national sales force to residential and commercial contractors as
well as to the manufactured housing industry. The company,
headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is a 50/50 joint venture of
Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX) and Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
(NASDAQ:CWST). With its recent acquisition of Bonded Insulation,
GreenFiber now has a total of 12 manufacturing plants. For more
information on US GreenFiber, please visit http://www.us-gf.com/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051108/CLTU053
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: US GreenFiber LLC CONTACT:
Edie Kello, marketing manager of US GreenFiber, LLC,
+1-704-379-0653, or Web site: http://www.cocooninsulation.com/
http://www.us-gf.com/ http://www.energystar.gov/
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation
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