Insulation and the Environment

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Stewardship

Insulation & the Environment

Energy Efficiency

Fiber glass and mineral wool insulations save more than 400 trillion BTUs annually – a twelve-fold savings over the energy needed to produce these products. Reduced energy consumption translates into a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions such as CO₂ and NO_x as well as other emissions. These gases are released into the atmosphere and are directly linked to the problem of global warming and pollution.

The industry has made countless changes in manufacturing processes to decrease energy used, virtually eliminate waste water effluent discharges and limit the amount of pollutants emitted during the manufacture of its products.

Energy Efficiency

Environmental Impact of Raw Material Acquisition

Packaging and Transportation

Product Performance

Use and Reuse

Recycled Content

Related Publications:

Life Cycle Brochure (NO16)

Facts #45 - Materials for Sustainable Planet (NO12)

Energy Efficiency and Climate Change (NAIMA-024)

	Insulation saves 12 times as much energy per pound in its first year in place as the energy used to produce it.*
	All insulation products installed in U.S. buildings save consumers about 12 quadrillion Btu annually or about 42 percent of the energy that would have been consumed with no insulation in place. Twelve quadrillion Btu is almost 15 percent of the total national energy used; it is enough energy to supply the total energy requirements of Florida for 4 years.*
	Insulation currently in place in U.S. buildings reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by 780 million tons each year.*
	* Source: “Green and Competitive: The Energy, Environmental, and Economic Benefits of Fiber Glass and Mineral Wool Insulation Products” by Energy Conservation Management, Inc., et al, June 1996.