NEWS RELEASE
Contact
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Chris Watts, MARC USA/Indianapolis Public
Relations
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Phone: 317.638.9158
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Fax: 317.632.0078
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OR
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Mike Lynam, Knauf Insulation
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Phone: 800.825.4434
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Fax: 317.398.3675
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Knauf recognizes Earth Day, emphasizes need for proper
insulation for energy savings, sustainable
construction
(SHELBYVILLE, Ind., April 6, 2006) Knauf Insulation will
recognize Earth Day 2006 on April 22nd by doing what it
always does: manufacturing insulation that helps cut U.S. carbon
emissions by 780 million tons every year. Knauf's fiber glass
insulation products contribute to energy savings and are a
requirement for environmentally sustainable construction - making
every day Earth Day at Knauf.
Insulation currently installed in U.S.
buildings saves more than 42 quadrillion BTUs of energy every year,
reducing pollution from the nation's utility infrastructure. In
all, fiber glass insulation saves 12 times more energy in its first
year of installation than it takes to manufacture it, and it
continues to save energy for the life of the building. Fiber glass
insulation like Knauf's provides the maximum thermal performance
(measured by R-value) available in standard wood frame
construction. In addition to residential insulation, Knauf also
manufactures a full line of insulations for commercial, industrial,
marine, metal building, OEM and air handling (ductwork)
applications.
Fiber glass insulation is also an environmentally sustainable
product, using post-consumer recycled glass and renewable resources
(sand) in the manufacturing process. In fact, U.S. insulation
manufacturers used 2.2 billion pounds of recycled post consumer
glass and blast furnace slag in 2004.
Knauf was also the first insulation manufacturer to earn
certification by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute for indoor
air quality performance, ensuring that certified products are
friendly for the indoor environment as well. GREENGUARD is the
world's leading authority on low-emitting building products, and
earning certification means a product meets the industry's toughest
standards on chemical emissions like formaldehyde.
"When it comes to energy conservation, environmental
sustainability and indoor air quality, fiber glass insulation is
really the ultimate 'green' product," according to Knauf President
Bob Claxton. "On Earth Day, it gives us an opportunity to take a
moment to recognize our products' contributions to a cleaner, more
comfortable world. It's something we take great pride in."
The Knauf team also recognizes that there is much work yet to
be done to maximize insulation's environmental benefits. Recent
studies by Harvard University estimate that 65% of American homes
are under-insulated. If every home was insulated to the most recent
energy conservation code, another 800 trillion BTUs of energy would
be saved while cutting hundreds of thousands more tons of
greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
To help promote the energy-saving power of fiber glass
insulation, Knauf recently launched Thinksulation, a public
awareness initiative designed to reach homeowners, homebuyers, and
the residential and commercial construction industries with the
green message of insulation.
http://www.thinksulation.com/
includes background on the green benefits of fiber glass
insulation, tips on types of insulation and installation guidelines
for homeowners. It also provides technical information on energy
codes and specification data for builders, architects and
specifying engineers; as well as information on programs like
energy efficient home mortgages and tax incentives available
through the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
About Knauf and Thinksulation. Knauf
Insulation is a leading global manufacturer of thermal and
acoustical insulations for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM
and metal building applications. Knauf Insulation recently launched
the Thinksulation initiative geared towards educating the public
and helping the construction industry promote energy efficiency and
the environmental benefits of insulation. For more information
about Knauf sales and products, visit
http://www.knaufinsulation.com/,
write to Knauf Insulation, One Knauf Drive, Shelbyville, IN 46176
or call 800-825-4434.
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