OC Owens Corning Inc

Upping Estimated 60 Million Under-Insulated Attics to DOE Guidelines Could Save 103 Million* Barrels of Oil Annually - Enough to Fill 51 Supertankers - and Help Reduce U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil TOLEDO, Ohio, July 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With Independence Day upon us, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC), makers of PINK insulation, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are spreading the word about simple, energy-efficient home improvements that can help homeowners save money and strike oil in the attic -- 103 million barrels annually, to be precise. "Approximately 60 million homes in the U.S. are estimated to be under insulated***," said Gale Tedhams, director of sustainability for Owens Corning. "By heading straight to the attic and adding insulation, homeowners can make their homes greener, save money and conserve the energy equivalent of 103 million barrels of oil annually -- enough to fill 51 supertankers." In addition to helping homeowners save oil and reduce their cooling and heating costs, insulation plays another key role in saving the planet. According to a recent study by the McKinsey Global Institute, insulation is the single most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "Many Americans assume that transportation and industry are the largest consumers of energy in the U.S., but it's actually buildings," said Wendy Burt from the U.S. Department of Energy. "The electricity consumed by one single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. The good news is there are simple energy-efficient upgrades we can make, such as adding insulation in the attic and caulking windows and doors that reduce our energy footprint and save us money." Owens Corning recommends that an attic have between 16 and 22 inches of insulation with a minimum total R-value of 49. To learn more about R-value and reducing home energy consumption go to the Owens Corning energy efficiency microsite at http://www.owenscorning.com/foryourhome/index.asp. Site visitors can also learn about Owens Corning's suite of fiberglass insulation products, which contain the highest level of certified recycled content in North America and is GREENGUARD Certified to meet the strictest standards for indoor air quality. "Energy efficiency is truly the 'first fuel,'" said Tedhams. "A barrel saved is two barrels earned, which means that efficient energy is the cheapest energy anyone can buy." Homeowners who want to reduce their home's energy footprint should consider other energy-efficient upgrades such as: Installing a Programmable Thermostat Why cool the house when nobody's home? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower or raise a home's air temperature during the day. By regulating the temperature, homeowners can save up to 10 percent on annual heating and cooling costs. Closing the Shades Keep windows covered with shades and blinds during the day to prevent the sun's rays from heating the interior of the home. In particular, cover windows facing the south and west where the sun shines the strongest and brightest. Plugging the Drafts Sealing the envelope of the home is the first line of defense against drafts, so it's important to caulk and weather-strip around all seams, cracks and openings. Pay special attention to windows and near electrical boxes. Unwanted air leakage alone can raise energy bills by up to 10 percent. Turning on the Fan Simply turning on the fan can make its inhabitants feel several degrees cooler because it circulates the air, essentially creating a "wind chill" effect. Plus, fans use less energy than air conditioning units and HVAC systems. Taking a Home Energy Audit Understanding how much energy a home uses helps homeowners determine what changes will save them the most energy and money. For an easy home energy audit, check out the Home Report Card(R) The quiz provides tailored recommendations on improving home energy efficiency and can be found at http://www.owenscorning.com/homereportcard. About Owens Corning Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) is a world leader in building materials systems and composite solutions. A Fortune 500 company for more than 50 years, Owens Corning people redefine what is possible each day to deliver high-quality products and services ranging from insulation, roofing, siding and manufactured stone veneer, to glass composite materials used in transportation, electronics, telecommunications and other high-performance applications. Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass fiber technology with sales of $6.5 billion in 2006 and 19,000 employees in 26 countries. Additional information is available at http://www.owenscorning.com/. *103 million represents the number of barrels saved annually if all under- insulated U.S. homes insulated to DOE standards. **The McKinsey Global Institute (http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1911&L2=3). *** Estimated 60 million under-insulated homes in 2006 based upon a 2003 Harvard School of Public Health study, The public health benefits of insulation retrofits in existing housing in the United States. Media Contact: Media Contact: Kerry Desberg Chris Grams Owens Corning GolinHarris (419) 248-5939 (312) 729-4364 DATASOURCE: Owens Corning CONTACT: Kerry Desberg of Owens Corning, +1-419-248-5939; or Chris Grams of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4364, for Owens Corning Web site: http://www.owenscorning.com/

Copyright