Harvard University Studies Project Significant Health Benefit from Additional Insulation

Studies Examined Effect of 2000 International Energy Conservation Code Levels of Insulation in New and Existing Homes

Alexandria, VA (July 28, 2003) - The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) applauds recent findings from Harvard University’s School of Public Health, which project significant public health benefits from increasing insulation in new and existing homes. The findings come from two studies, which examined the potential health benefits that could be expected from increasing residential insulation from current practice to just the minimum standard in energy codes, the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) levels. The studies showed that upgrading insulation levels would result in significant reductions in energy usage and emissions, which, in turn, result in fewer deaths, and reduced instances of respiratory and cardiovascular ailments typically associated with air pollution.

Specifically, the existing homes study showed that if the 46 million existing single-family homes in the United States that have inadequate insulation were retrofitted with additional insulation to meet the 2000 IECC, the benefits would include 240 fewer premature deaths, 6,500 fewer asthma attacks and 110,000 fewer restricted activity days per year. This translates into a potential savings of $1.3 billion per year in averted costs such as health care, and $5.9 billion per year in additional savings associated with reduced energy consumption, paying back the initial cost of the insulation in about six years. The study based the projected health benefits on annual energy savings of more than 800 Trillion Btu (TBtu), which resulted in lower emissions of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and particle precursors (SO₂ and NO_X).

An earlier study focused on new homes and developed the methodology to make these estimates, with similar types of health benefits for increasing insulation in the 1.2 million new homes built in the US each year.

"This is one of the first studies to link the benefits of reducing energy consumption to public health using this type of methodology," said Dr. Jack Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University School of Public Health. "This approach allows us to quantify the benefits of energy efficiency on a national scale not seen before, which takes us far beyond energy savings and energy security. Now, it is clear that improving energy efficiency not only helps us as a nation, but also has an immediate, positive impact on us, as individuals, and our families."

The researchers note in the study that, "the magnitude of the economic and public health benefits indicates that creative public policies to encourage retrofits…may be warranted." NAIMA is encouraged by energy-related retrofit tax credits included in the energy legislation that has been passed by the US House of Representatives and is currently being considered by the US Senate.

"These results are an important indicator of the tremendous benefits we can realize by increasing the levels of insulation and energy efficiency in our homes," said Ken Mentzer, NAIMA’s president and CEO. "Our industry has worked hard to build a consensus to encourage adoption of better energy codes, and NAIMA hopes to see more jurisdictions taking steps to adopt the 2000 IEEC."

IMPORTANT NOTE

The 2000 IECC is a public/private sector consensus standard which outlines a minimum energy code for new homes. The US Department of Energy (DOE) and others recommend even higher R-values for insulation. To find the DOE recommended R-values for a specific region, visit www.SimplyInsulate.com or http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html.

NAIMA has developed a list of state and local tax incentives and rebates that apply to the purchase of insulation. This state-by-state listing can be found at www.SimplyInsulate.com.

For the full results of the studies, contact NAIMA or the respective journals.

Copies of the studies can be ordered online from the NAIMA Literature Library by following the links below:

• New Homes: Nishioka, Yurika et. al, "Integrating Risk Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment: A Case Study of Insulation," Risk Analysis, Vol. 22, No. 5, 2002
• Existing Homes: Levy, Jonathan et. al., "The Public Health Benefits of Insulation Retrofits In Existing Housing in the United States," Environmental Health, 2003 2:4

NAIMA’s members are CertainTeed Corporation, Evanite Fiber Corporation, Fibrex Insulations, Isolatek International, Johns Manville, Knauf Insulation, Owens Corning, Rock Wool Manufacturing, Roxul, Inc., Sloss Industries, Thermafiber, Inc, and USG Interiors.