Midland, MI - March 13, 2012
Central New York builder, Miller Homes, announces the opening of a deconstructed duplex designed to educate the public and the industry on the importance of high performing homes. Miller Homes participated in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) “High Performance Builders Challenge,” and as a result received a grant from NYSERDA to implement high-performing building practices –focusing particularly on those that contribute to a tight building envelope. Miller Homes took this initiative one step further and in collaboration with Dow Building Solutions and CDH Energy, built an educational, energy efficient deconstructed duplex.
The ENERGY STAR® rated duplex is divided into two parts: half of it is finished and serves as a model home; the other half showcases structural components and building envelope technologies from Dow – open framing, rough electrical, heating, insulation and air-sealing. The duplex is part of the Inverness Gardens subdivision located in Syracuse, NY, and will stay open over the next four years to serve as an educational and training facility for builders, contractors, architects, students and the public.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Dow to educate the public on how energy efficient building contributes to indoor health, comfort, and energy savings,” said Troy Adams, president, Miller Homes. “With their continued support, we strive to educate the industry about products and solutions that enable high performing homes to be achievable, affordable, and replicable across the nation.”
Twenty-two thousand people toured the duplex during the Fall Parade of Homes, and Dow and Miller Homes have used the space since then to certify a local Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) contractor, host a CEU course for the Syracuse American Institute of Architects (AIA), and engage students from the State University of New York (SUNY) Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).
“The goal of the ‘High Performance Builders Challenge’ was to push builders beyond their typical techniques, to promote and educate higher performance opportunities that reduce the building load,” said Gregory A. Pedrick, C.E.M., Project Manager Buildings R&D, NYSERDA. “We are thrilled that Miller Homes has gone beyond this to not only build more energy efficiently, but are continuing the educational aspect with a partner like Dow. By doing so they are truly differentiating themselves from other builders in the marketplace.”
To achieve the duplex’s tight building envelope, Miller Homes used a variety of insulation and air sealing materials from Dow Building Solutions. “Building a high performance home starts with sealing the building envelope,” said Joe Barrow, Residential Solution Specialist, Dow Building Solutions. “We collaborated closely with Miller Homes to provide the solutions needed to construct a high quality and comfortable home with reduced energy requirements.”
STYROFOAM™ Brand Tongue and Groove Insulation was used on above-grade exterior walls and the unvented deck portion of the roof to effectively protect against air infiltration; because of its high compressive strength, two-inch Tongue and Groove was also used under the slab of the foundation. Superior Walls XI panelized basement walls were installed in the basement utilizing 2.5 inches of Dow STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation. SPF Contractor, Fleetwood Drywall, applied two-pound, closed-cell STYROFOAM™ Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation from band joist to ceiling. To seal and insulate areas around window framing, WEATHERMATE™ Flashing, Sill Pan and Construction Tape were used,along with GREAT STUFF™ PRO Window & Door Insulating Foam Sealant.
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About Dow Building Solutions
Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers exceptional building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and home/building owners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
For Editorial Information:
Jessica Dub
The Dow Chemical Company
1-989-638-0550