Midland, MI - December 06, 2012
Dow Building Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW ), teamed up with Marc Rutenberg Homes on the Castaway III, the first of the homebuilder’s Zero Energy America project to help achieve luxury zero energy1 homes in the Tampa, Fla. area. Approximately 3,100 square feet larger than the average national zero energy home size, this premier home is 4,552 square feet, and has achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification recognition. Dow Building Solutions worked closely with Marc Rutenberg Homes to provide a combination of building science knowledge and high performing insulation and air sealing solutions to create a tight building envelope that helps optimize the energy efficiency and long-term performance of the premium home.
“Premier homes have been my family’s expertise for a half century, and we are delighted to collaborate with a company like Dow who leads the industry with more than 60 years of building experience and expertise to create the next-generation of energy efficient homes,” said Marc Rutenberg, President and CEO of Marc Rutenberg Homes. “This project allows us to demonstrate that every home in America, no matter the size, can be built to zero energy standards and Dow products help make this a reality today.”
The Marc Rutenberg Homes’ Zero Energy America homes are designed to surpass ENERGY STAR energy efficiency standards without sacrificing luxury and size. Dow Building Solutions next-generation insulation and air sealing products work together to achieve a tight building envelope, helping the zero energy home achieve LEED Platinum certification and a HERS Index negative 15. Products used in the home include:
- STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation on the interior of exterior block walls boosts the performance of the entire wall system, adding enhanced energy efficiency and reducing condensation for a more comfortable home.
- WEATHERMATE™ Construction Tape was applied over the seams between insulation boards to help reduce air leakage, contributing to greater long-term home energy efficiency.
- GREAT STUFF PRO™ Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant** in small penetrations throughout the home to seal against air and moisture infiltration to prevent drafts, repel water and protect homeowner’s investment against mold and mildew.
- GREAT STUFF PRO™ Window & Door Insulating Foam Sealant** puts a stop to costly air leaks between the window and door frames and rough openings.
- FROTH-PAK™ Foam Insulation Kit - used to seal and insulate cavities, cracks and crevices to reduce air and moisture penetration.
Marc Rutenberg Homes selected Dow Building Solutions based on their building science expertise and portfolio of energy efficient solutions for the entire building envelope, that help decrease a home’s energy bills, reduce air infiltration, improve indoor air quality and comfort, manage moisture and meet increasing energy codes.
“At Dow Building Solutions, we understand the growing consumer demand for more energy efficient, comfortable and durable homes, and our collaborations with homebuilders like Marc Rutenberg Homes help create high-performing homes that meet or exceed today’s demanding energy standards,” says Jim Morey, Residential Market Manager, Dow Building Solutions. “We are proud to work with Marc Rutenberg Homes on the Castaway III project because it proves zero energy status can be achieved in any size home.”
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 unsurpassed 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.
1 A zero energy home is defined as "a building that is designed, constructed, and operated to require a greatly reduced quantity of energy to operate, meet the balance of energy needs from sources of energy that do not produce greenhouse gases, and therefore result in no net emissions of greenhouse gases and be economically viable, Executive Order (E.O.) 13514; Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance; was signed on October 5, 2009.
** Read the label and Material Safety Data Sheets carefully before use
For Editorial Information:
Jan McKinnon
The Dow Chemical Company
1 519-541-0336