Facts To Help Your Readers Go Green This Earth Day
America celebrates its 39th annual Earth Day this April 22, and the country seems more inspired than ever to go green. Yet, many people don’t know where to start. Following are a few facts that will help your readers feel more informed and more apt to shift their lifestyles into green gear this Earth Day. CertainTeed, a leader in building science, is available to discuss any of these key green issues or provide images to support your stories.
The average house releases twice the pounds of carbon dioxide than the average car, as per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to a study conducted by Harvard University, more than 45 million U.S. homes are under-insulated. This, coupled with high costs of natural gas – the primary heating source used in more than half of all American homes – shows that there is no better time than now for people to evaluate the energy efficiency of their homes.
Insulation saves 12 times more energy per pound in its first year of being installed when compared to the energy used to produce it, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. In other words, using fiberglass insulation to make homes more energy efficient is a smart way to mitigate our impact on the environment.
Going green can save you money. Homeowners can qualify for a $1500 federal tax credit for investments in energy efficient improvements, such as insulation, cool roofing, exterior doors and windows. For an easy to understand explanation, CertainTeed Corporation has launched a new online resource
www.certainteed.com/energytaxcredit.
Not all ENERGY STAR rated products are appliances. CertainTeed fiberglass insulation products and insulated vinyl siding, for instance, are also ENERGY STAR products. In fact, insulated vinyl siding can improve the overall R-value of a wood-framed wall by up to 30 percent.
Easy care building products like vinyl siding, fence, railing and deck require no painting, staining or caulking. These products only need periodic cleaning with mild soap and water, ensuring that the products are not responsible for releasing harmful solvents into the environment, as can happen with painting and staining.
Fiber cement exterior siding, such as WeatherBoards
TM, is made using a combination of more than 30 percent recycled fly ash, Portland cement, wood fiber and specialty additives.
Many gypsum wallboard products are comprised of synthetic gypsum, a byproduct of power plants fueled with coal. Putting this synthetic gypsum to good use keeps the material out of landfills. And, with new mold and moisture resistant technology incorporated into gypsum wallboard, homeowners can enjoy a more healthy, comfortable home.
Consumers are willing to pay to go green at home. According to the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Living Green Consumer Survey, 36 percent of respondents cite “cost” as the top reason they won’t go green, yet half said they have paid more money for an energy-efficient product. What’s more, 30 percent would be willing to spend $5,000 or more on green home improvements to increase a home’s appeal to potential homebuyers.
Homeowners will soon have more options for installing an affordable roof that generates energy without compromising curb appeal. While most existing solar roofing systems rely on large and unattractive panels, new photovoltaic roofs will soon be available to the masses that feature inconspicuously embedded solar technology in the roof tile. In addition, roofing shingles with solar reflective granules, such as Landmark Solaris
TM, help make homes more energy efficient by keeping roofs cool in warm climates.
Homebuilders, remodelers and architects are going green. Homebuyers can look for housing – both single and multi-family developments – that are certified LEED for New Construction or LEED for Homes. EarthCraft House and Build It Green are also established and respected regional programs homeowners can seek out for sustainable structures. CertainTeed is a participant in many of these types of programs.
In addition to the manufacture of environmentally friendly building products, CertainTeed was selected as a 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, recognizing the company’s exemplary track record in responsible energy management at its facilities.
About CertainTeedThrough the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed has helped shape the building products industry for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm's slogan "Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed," quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, windows, fence, decking, railing, trim, foundations, pipe, insulation, gypsum, ceilings and access covers.
Headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 6,000 employees and more than 65 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. In 2009, CertainTeed was named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a national award that recognizes environmentally responsible corporations. The group had total sales of more than $3 billion in 2008. www.certainteed.com.
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