Going Green - Without The Expense
Marietta, GA - February 18, 2008
A home can be
considered green for many reasons, from the eclectic
(grass roofing) to the common (ecologically sensitive
paint) to the obscure (earthships). Still, buyers and
builders can be confused over what constitutes a green
house. Must it be constructed with hay-bale walls and
bamboo floors? Or can a house be green by simply
consuming less energy?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
defines a green home, in part, as one that uses
energy-efficient construction techniques and products.
The EPA found that Energy Star homes can save owners up
to $400 per year on utility bills when compared to those
houses that did not have an Energy Star rating.
Despite these cost savings, some homeowners worry
about the upfront costs of going green. But, making a
home more environmentally friendly does not have to be
cost prohibitive. Going green can be incremental; little
choices over time can accumulate to make a living
environment healthy and sustainable.
Actions such as air sealing the home can go a long
way toward making a home environmentally friendly. If a
home has gaps and cracks, then pricey, cooled air will
leak out of the house, making the air conditioner work
harder. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that the
openings in ceilings, walls and floors, and around
window and door frames, plumbing penetrations, ducts,
and electrical outlets account for 82 percent of the
energy loss in the average home. A homeowner can save
almost $100 a year by sealing these leaks, according to
the Rocky Mountain Institute.
One of the simplest ways to air seal the home is with
an insulating foam sealant such as GREAT STUFF™
Insulating Foam Sealant. GREAT STUFF sealant expands to
take the shape and size of a void, forming a permanent,
airtight and water-resistant seal that helps prevent
cool air from escaping the home.¹
Going green can also mean planting green things
around the home. A well-designed landscape can not only
add beauty to a home, it can also help reduce heating
and cooling costs. Planting just three shady trees
around a house can shave $100 to $250 off annual heating
and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of
Energy. Newly planted trees will begin shading windows
in their first year and will reach the roof in five to
10 years. Adding a row of shrubs or plants to create
dead airspaces will help insulate the home in both
winter and summer.
Finally, going green can mean doing the little
things. Turn off unused lights and appliances. Pull the
shades and close the curtains to prevent sunlight from
heating the home. Set the water heater to between 115
and 120 degrees. Install a programmable thermostat.
Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load.²
Following these easy steps can lead homeowners down a
path to a home that is more environmentally friendly.
About Dow
More information about GREAT STUFF Insulating Foam
Sealants is available at
http://www.greatstuff.dow.com.
¹When used as
directed. Consult the
Material Safety Data Sheet before use.
²You can find these and other tips at the
EPA’s Energy Star at
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_solutions.
®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
For Editorial Information:
Janet Hansen
The Dow Chemical Company
(678) 269-1246
Bill Anderson
Blattner Brunner
(404) 479-2216
banderson@blattnerbrunner.com
|
