Providing Solutions That Make Sustainable Housing Possible

Energy efficient applications and top tier technology from Dow Building Solutions (DBS) helped Live Green, Live Smart’s The Sustainable House* become the world’s first home remodel to achieve LEED** (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum, the highest LEED certification for conservation and renewable energy in home building. Dow’s commitment to sustainable housing, however, extends far beyond The Sustainable House.

Live Green, Live Smart is an organization focused on the education of consumers, organizations and trades people in the art of “green” building sciences – giving them the information, tools and confidence to build or remodel in a sustainable manner.

Originally a 1948 rambler house in Minnetonka, Minnesota, The Sustainable House is now energy efficient, environmentally friendly, respectful of nature, and comfortable for family life amidst growing awareness and concern regarding energy efficiency and climate change. 

“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.”

DBS Contributions to The Sustainable House

Dow contributed STYROFOAM™ and TUFF-R™ insulated sheathing as well as STYROFOAM™ Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation to this project – providing maximum insulation performance, air sealing and moisture-resistance.  Like all products in the DBS portfolio, these materials work together to increase the energy efficiency of a home, helping lower the utility bills and provide a more comfortable living environment for home owners.

“Participation in this project reflects our ongoing commitment to set the standard for sustainability, including efforts to improve energy efficiency, contribute to community success, address climate change, and provide solutions to world challenges through sustainable chemistry,” said Scott Young, global director of Energy Efficiency for Dow Building Solutions.  He added, “Our products, together with our expertise in building science, help optimize insulating solutions that reduce green house gas emissions while lowering homeowner energy bills – benefiting both the environment and the consumer.”

Dow Building Solutions www.insulateyourhome.com www.blue4greendesign.com Habitat for Humanity Sustainability Dow Energy Plan Human Element

Dow believes that providing humanity with a sustainable energy supply while addressing climate change is one of the most urgent environmental issues the world faces.  “In the U.S. each year, the building sector accounts for 48 percent of all energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.  Globally, it’s remarkably similar at approximately 40 percent,” said Young.  “Dow is dedicated to slowing, stopping and reversing this global footprint and will lead the call for a multi-faceted approach to energy and climate change.”

Moving Forward

As a world leader in chemistry, Dow is uniquely positioned to continue to provide innovations that lead to energy alternatives, less carbon-intensive, raw material sources and other solutions not yet imagined. Dow is leveraging the strength of the Human Element in laboratories around the world and making unprecedented financial investments in research and development to achieve breakthrough solutions that will slow, stop and reverse global warming.

Find out more about Dow’s corporate commitments to sustainability.

To learn how to lower your own utility bills and reduce your home’s environmental impact from energy loss, visit us at www.insulateyourhome.com.

*The Sustainable House is a registered trademark of Live Green, Live Smart
**LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council
®™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

What Is LEED?

LEED is defined by The US Green Building Council, the organization that administers the LEED program nationally, as:

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.