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The U.S. Army just launched its own net-zero initiative, which aims to make most domestic bases energy, water, and waste self-sufficient within a few years. (www.nrel.gov).


But the consensus among industry-based coalitions such as the Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Consortium (www.zeroenergy-cbc.org), seems to be that zero-energy is inevitable, but should be phased in over decades, not years. CBC forecasts that U.S. construction won’t hit 100% net-zero until 2050.


Why does U.S. industry set its green goals so low—almost 40 years behind the EU? According to the U.S. Green Building Coalition, part of the reason is lack of large-scale federal backing for green building R&D.


Between 2000 and 2006, the USGBC reports, “research on green building constituted an estimated 0.2% of all federally funded research, an average of $193 million per year. This is roughly equivalent to only 0.02% of the estimated value of annual U.S. building construction, despite the fact that the construction industry represents 9% of the U.S. GDP. At the same time, the construction industry reinvests only 0.6% of sales back into research—significantly less than the average for other U.S. industries, and significantly less than private sector construction research investments in other countries.”


 


JOHNS MANVILLE
BUILDING ON TRADITION


Johns Manville sees its contribution to net-zero homes as reducing energy consumption insulating technology that is readily available, affordable, and effective.


The company has developed a spray-in fiber glass product with that combines the best aspects of traditional fiberglass insulation: low cost, ease of installation, durability, resistance to mold or mildew—with modern binders and blown-in technologies.


“We already have the products available to make homes more energy efficient, and we know how to do it,” said Stephen Crouch, JM’s residential market manager. “As a society, we should be working with the technology that’s available today to solve today’s problems.”


JM Spider can be applied with most fiber glass blowing machines. It is formaldehyde-free and fire retardant. The adhesive binder prevents settling, and it contains a mold inhibitor, which adds to the natural resistance of fiber glass to mold and mildew. Unlike cellulose, it will not hold water.


JM Spider performs even better with optimal green framing techniques, such as staggered-stud walls. The product completely fills complex spaces with insulation and eliminates gaps and voids. In a more conventional, 2x6 wooden stud wall, JM Spider is rated at up to R-23. With a 2x12 cavity, it can reach R-47.


Johns Manville’s Spider insulation also saves energy on the front end. The product has 25% recycled content and is made from post-consumer bottle glass.


07.2011
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