The Dow Chemical Company, the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia (ECA), and the City of Philadelphia, announce a city-wide contest as part of an effort to help Philadelphia become "the greenest city in America." The "Coolest Block" contest will allow residents of Philadelphia row homes to compete to win an energy-saving "cool roof" and other energy efficient products, such as air sealing and insulation, for their entire block.

"Row homes are part of Philadelphia's history and charm and have long been a unique architectural feature of the city," says Liz Robinson, executive director, ECA. "The black asphalt roofs typically found on row homes not only contribute to increased energy consumption, they deteriorate more quickly than a white 'cool' roof and can affect the structural integrity of the whole building. Our goal with the 'Coolest Block' contest is to both conserve energy and preserve these historical homes."

Cool roofs are energy-saving white roofs that reflect the sun’s heat and help prevent it from being absorbed into the roof and house. Traditional black, asphalt roofs soak up heat and allow it to transfer into the upper floors of the home, putting a strain on air conditioning or cooling units and increasing energy costs. White cool roofs can reduce the cost of cooling a home by as much as 20%, and the exterior of the roof can be 50 - 80 degrees cooler than a black asphalt roof on a hot summer day. Cool roofs are also highly durable and require less maintenance and replacement than typical asphalt roofs.

Scott Young, global director, Energy Efficiency Portfolio, Dow Building Solutions says, "Dow is committed to practical, energy-efficient solutions that make a difference in people's lives. With our technology to help create cool roofs and our insulation and air sealing products, homeowners can look forward to more comfortable temperatures in their homes and significant savings on their monthly energy bills."

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, proper insulation and air sealing of the home can reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 30%. Air infiltration - which often occurs between walls and floors, around windows and doors, and through other gaps and cracks - can account for as much as 40% of heat loss in homes (source U.S. DOE). One of the best ways to insulate and air seal a row home is to use insulating foam sealants, which expand on contact to help bridge these openings, keeping heat outside during the summer and inside during the winter.

Along with a cool roof, the winning block will receive:

• An energy audit - from basement to rooftop - assessing where insulation and air sealing products could help improve the home's energy efficiency.


• Installation of Dow's air sealants and insulation products in the participating contestants' residential homes, in both the basement and the attic to help increase comfort and energy savings.

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges that includes representatives from local media, environmental organizations, and the building industry. The deadline for entry is April 5, 2010. More information More information and the official contest rules are available at www.retrofitphilly.com.

About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia
The Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) is a non-profit corporation, founded in 1984, whose mission is to help people conserve energy and to promote a sustainable and socially equitable energy future for all in the Philadelphia region. Our services to low income people are at the heart of our mission and are provided in collaboration with our citywide network of 14 Neighborhood Energy Centers. In the past year, ECA provided over 40,000 low income families 86,218 energy services, valued at more than $27 million, leveraging our budget of $8.4 million more than 3 times on their behalf. These services include: budget and energy counseling; bill payment assistance; energy conservation treatments, and energy education. Our conservation services saved these families an average of 20% of their energy costs, enabling them to meet their expenses and stay in their homes.

About Greenworks Philadelphia
Mayor Michael Nutter created the Mayor's Office of Sustainability (MOS) to help the city leverage its existing assets and mitigate its exposure to the effects of global warming. This means changing the way that government does business. It also means giving citizens the tools they need to lower their own carbon emissions and reduce their vulnerability to increasing energy costs. Sustainability is a core mission for the Nutter Administration and the work of MOS, primarily through the implementation of Greenworks Philadelphia, will help decrease the city's vulnerability to energy prices and climate change, increase our capacity to compete in global markets for new jobs and new businesses, and ensure that all residents share in the city's prosperous future.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

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.