Dow Building Solutions Applauds U.S. Stimulus Package Focus on Energy Efficiency

Midland, MI - June 30, 2009

Buildings are the number one consumers of energy – rating even higher than vehicles. Much of that energy is lost to air infiltration caused by poor insulation and air sealing. The 2009 U.S. Stimulus Package, which mandates investment in weatherization and insulation for federal buildings, HUD housing and other government facilities, is a first step in reducing this tremendous drain on the North American power grid. The next step, according to Mike Kontranowski, strategic market manager, North America, for Dow Building Solutions, is to adopt sustainable, energy efficient building practices for new construction.

Buildings are the number one consumers of energy - rating even higher than vehicles. Much of that energy is lost to air infiltration caused by poor insulation and air sealing.

"Dow has been applying sustainable science to make homes and buildings energy efficient for more than 60 years. Dow products, such as our GREAT STUFF PRO™ Insulating Foam Sealants and FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant, are already on the scene, helping to prevent air infiltration through gaps, cracks and crevices," said Kontranowski. "Our next generation of products gives builders and architects a convenient way to achieve what many experts agree is an essential first step in sustainable building practices - continuous insulation."

Continuous insulation covers both wall cavities and studs to shield against thermal bridging. This improves insulation performance and minimizes air infiltration, which can lead to increased heating and cooling costs. It also moves the dew point from inside the wall cavity (where mold and mildew often accumulate undetected) to outside of the wall cavity where it belongs. Dow recently introduced the THERMAX™ Wall System for steel stud commercial buildings and STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing for residential housing, two award-winning wall systems that provide continuous insulation and simplify construction processes. The structural component of STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing is also made of up to 80% post-consumer recycled content.

"Continuous insulation has the potential to reduce a building's energy consumption more than changing HVAC systems, light bulbs or water heating systems," Kontranowski noted. "Add to that the financial incentives of the Stimulus Package, and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change our future and accelerate toward the Architecture 2030 Challenge goal of "carbon neutral" buildings."

The two energy standards used in commercial construction, ASHRAE 90.1-2007 and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) already prescriptively require continuous insulation or "ci" as it is listed for U.S. climate zones 3-8. Also, the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED** 2009 recently adopted the ASHRAE standard as its baseline.

"While federal buildings will be the first to benefit from the investment, we hope that by turning a bright spotlight on this subject, a shift in thinking will occur at every level - from government and code officials to industry associations, builders, architects, building owners and consumers," said Kontranowski.

Energy Efficiency Quick Facts:

• 96% of U.S. adults cannot correctly name the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissionsⁱ. (Answer: Buildings. They can use twice as much fuel, and produce twice as much greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as carsⁱⁱ.)
• Building and construction accounts for almost half of all energy consumption and GHG emissions in the U.S.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Building insulation is the single most cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.^iv
• As much as 40 percent of energy loss in homes and buildings is caused by air infiltration, making spray foam products, such as FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant and GREAT STUFF PRO™ Insulating Foam Sealants, some of the most effective ways to reduce energy bills.^v For more information on spray foam products, visit: www.sprayfoamatdow.com
• 1 square foot of properly installed STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation averts more than a ton of CO2 emissions during the life of a typical home.
• Every dollar spent on more efficient buildings saves more than $2 worth of electricity.^vi
• Space heating and cooling accounts for 45% of the energy used by residential buildings and 29% of the energy used by commercial buildings.^vii

About Dow Building Solutions

Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers unsurpassed building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and homeowners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Kelly Chandler
The Dow Chemical Company
+1 989 636 0351

Marissa Peterson
Gibbs & Soell Public Relations
+1 212 697 2600
mpeterson@gibbs-soell.com