4.01.2008 - 09:30pm ET

(CSRwire) MIDLAND, MI April 1, 2008 - Energy efficient solutions and know-how from Dow Building Solutions played an integral role in helping Live Green, Live Smart's The Sustainable House*, achieve the first LEED** (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification on a home remodel. Dow insulation products helped the remodeled 1948 rambler in Minnetonka, Minnesota achieve LEED Platinum, the highest LEED certification for conservation and renewable energy in home building. The house is also the first to achieve Minnesota GreenStar’s Gold certification, the highest level possible for this green standard as well. Dow's energy efficient solutions delivered excellent insulation performance and high R-value*** for increased energy efficiency, a critical component required to achieve LEED Platinum certification.

"We selected Dow because of its reputation, sales and service support and the extensive testing it has done on each of its products. Dow really came through, and with their help we achieved the world's first LEED Platinum rating on a home remodel," said Peter Lytle, executive director, Live Green, Live Smart. "Dow's energy efficient solutions helped us achieve insulating values we never considered possible. The products not only made the home more energy efficient but they are extremely easy to use and readily available."

The original structure, a 1948 rambler, underwent major alterations focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, habitat protection, resource efficiency and healthy occupancy. Materials from the existing home were recycled into the remodel or another building. Additionally, renewable energy systems utilizing solar, geothermal, wind and innovative co-generation make the home close to zero-emission.

"There are several opportunities during a home's lifecycle in which homeowners can improve the overall energy efficiency, one of which is during a home remodel. The Sustainable House project provided Dow Building Solutions with an opportunity to participate in a home remodel focused on delivering energy efficiency and conservation solutions that contribute to sustainable design and building longevity," said Scott Young global director of Energy Efficiency for Dow Building Solutions. "Participation in this project reflects our ongoing commitment to Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, which include improving energy efficiency, contributing to community success, addressing climate change, and providing solutions to world challenges through sustainable chemistry. Our products, together with our expertise in building science, help optimize insulating solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while lowering homeowner energy bills, a benefit that accrues quickly when that first energy bill arrives."

Dow contributed STYROFOAM(TM) and TUFF-R(TM) Brand Insulated Sheathing as well as STYROFOAM(TM) Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation to this project, providing maximum insulation performance, air sealing, and moisture-resistance. Like all products in the Dow portfolio, these materials work together to increase the energy efficiency of the home, helping to lower utility bills and providing a more comfortable living environment for homeowners all year round.

"The Dow products achieved our high quality standards and were backed by some pretty impressive environmental and thermal insulation research," said Keith Poets of Quality Builders and Contractors, the general contractor for The Sustainable House project. "We worked with Dow's knowledgeable consultative representatives who provided a lot of very good and detailed information. I was especially impressed with the high insulating and structural contributions of the polyurethane spray foam from Dow."

Energy Efficiency is not a new concept at Dow - the company has been working with customers to build energy efficient structures for more than 60 years now. With the environmental challenges the world faces today, Dow recognizes the importance of applying its in-depth knowledge of science to identify more energy efficient solutions and new sources of renewable energy and materials. In fact, Dow has committed to reducing its reliance on natural resources and lowering greenhouse gas emissions as part of its 2015 Sustainability Goals. http://www.dow.com/commitments/sustain.htm

"It is commonly known that energy loss and moisture are two of the most costly issues facing North American homeowners today," said John Hammer, North American marketing manager for Dow Building Solutions. "At Dow, we work hand-in-hand with leaders like 'Live Green, Live Smart' and others in the green building community to identify solutions that will provide the greatest level of energy efficiency, the lowest environmental impact and the best possible comfort and protection."

Green building and remodeling is an issue of growing significance to builders and consumers alike. According to a recent survey conducted by Professional Remodeler magazine, 88 percent of remodelers surveyed cited energy efficiency as their definition of what makes a product "green."(1) Furthermore, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently published research highlighting the trends becoming more important to builders in which energy efficiency ranked the highest at 70 percent.(2)

Dow is committed to green building initiatives and contributes energy efficient solutions to projects like The Sustainable House and recently aPassive House project. A concept that started in Northern Europe, Passive House standards call for housing with a dramatic reduction in energy consumption and zero greenhouse gas emissions, and are designed to provide a comfortable indoor climate both in the winter and summer months. A home in Italy was recently restructured to achieve these standards using Dow products including STYROFOAM(TM) Brand Insulation and ROOFMATE(TM) Insulation. In addition, the roof was protected with a highly breathable, waterproof membrane, ROOFMATE(TM) VP-N. Through contributions to projects like The Sustainable House and Passive House, Dow continues its commitment to meeting high standards and contributing to the global cause of reducing emissions and energy use.

For more information:

Visit Dow Building Solutions: www.insulateyourhome.com.
and
Live Green, Live Smart: www.livegreenlivesmart.org.

About STYROFOAM(TM) Brand Insulation

Recognized by its distinctive Blue(TM) color, STYROFOAM(TM) Brand Insulation helps provide year-round comfort and energy savings through its excellent water resistance, high insulation value and superb compressive strength. Available in a wide variety of sizes and thickness, it can be found in almost any insulating application, from rooftops to basements/foundations and all areas in between.

About Dow

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

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