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| Johns Manville introduces guide to lowering energy bills Denver-based building materials maker Johns Manville (JM) has launched a new online energy-efficiency resource center dedicated to empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about the products that can improve their homes' energy efficiency and the health and comfort of their families. JMHomeowner.com provides resources and tools for homeowners to secure their home's "thermal envelope" by enclosing heated or cooled living spaces to not only maintain the comfort of their home, but also to help lower energy bills. The U.S. residential sector is the single largest energy consumer in the world, according to the McKinsey Global Institute. JM's recent Energy Awareness Month Survey found that the majority of the U.S. public does not realize the extent to which their homes use energy for heating, cooling, lighting and appliances. One reason why the U.S. residential sector is the single largest energy consumer in the world is because 46 million, or 65 percent of U.S. homes, are currently under-insulated, according to the Harvard University School of Public Health. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 40 percent of all air leaks in the average home are in the attic. JM's Energy Awareness Month Survey also found that 84 percent of respondents have never commissioned a home energy audit, an important assessment of their home's energy-efficiency performance. The site's Home Energy Analysis tool is an energy-efficiency calculator that allows homeowners to evaluate their home's energy efficiency through a step-by-step evaluation of their home's specifications. The Home Energy Analysis tool is part of the JM Toolbox, which also features tools such as a square footage calculator for determining the appropriate quantity of insulation needed for a home and an R-value (resistance to air) estimator to determine the appropriate R-value for insulation in walls and ceilings in a given home. Homeowners can learn more about the best R-values for their home based on climate and placement of the insulation in the home. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Construction News :: home page |