NEW LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES ENVIRONMENTAL
Crofton, Maryland (May 26, 2009) – A new study shows that expanded polystyrene (EPS)
provides a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when used to insulate homes in
North America. This study, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Savings for EPS Foam Insulation Applied
to Exterior Walls of Single Family Residential Housing in the U.S. and Canada, calculated the
resources used and emissions produced in the manufacturing and delivery of EPS and concludes
that EPS insulation will reduce the operational impact of the building to an extent that far outweighs
the environmental impact caused by its manufacture.
“Everyone knows that adding insulation to your home will reduce energy costs,”
acknowledges Betsy Steiner, executive director of the EPS Molders Association (EPSMA).
“However, consumers are increasingly aware that product manufacture requires resource and
energy consumption. We want our customers to know that energy and environmental payback on
this investment is substantial, making EPS insulation one of the quickest and easiest ways to
reduce energy usage.”
With mainstream support for the green movement, consumers are asking new and different
questions about how products perform and are increasingly making purchasing decisions that take
environmental considerations into account. This is particularly true in the area of construction, as
buildings are responsible for 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), a
measurement tool that provides comprehensive environmental data, is a widely accepted method
of evaluating a product’s environmental footprint.
Franklin Associates, an independent consulting firm in Prairie Village, Kansas, conducted
this study to analyze and quantify energy use and emissions with regard to EPS insulation.
Franklin used data from the U.S. Life Cycle Index (LCI) Database and data collected from the EPS
manufacturing industry. Homes were evaluated in all climate zones in the U.S. and Canada. The
thermal performance evaluation of the homes was based on R-value data from Oakridge National
Laboratories.
Using this approach, the study assessed the energy and resources used during the
extraction, manufacturing, processing, delivery, use and disposal of EPS insulation, and the
greenhouse gas emissions produced throughout the process. The energy and greenhouse gas
savings were determined by comparing the heating and cooling energy requirements for the
modeled home with added EPS insulation to a similar structure without added insulation. This
provides the ‘net’ footprint or the environmental payback that is achieved by using increased
insulation.
Insulation is measured in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the
resistance to heat flow. The higher the material’s R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness
or, the better walls and roof resist the flow of heat either into or out of the building. When EPS
insulation was added to the exterior walls, using R-4 and R-6 foam, the energy payback periods in
Canada are less than one year in all Provinces. In the U.S., the energy payback time for R-4
insulation is less than two years with shorter payback times in colder regions. R-6 payback times
for energy are slightly longer but ultimately result in higher energy savings over the life of the
building. These energy values directly correlate to the resulting greenhouse gas reductions.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of
the energy used in the average American home, and inadequate insulation and air leakage are the
leading causes of energy waste in most homes. While ongoing research is aiming to identify
renewable energy options, immediate green house gas reductions and efficiencies upgrades can
be achieved with added insulation, and most importantly allows homeowners to take action now.
“The exceptional performance of EPS insulation offers the construction industry a means to
achieve newer energy efficiency goals being revised and updated on an ongoing basis,” adds
Steiner. “Architects, designers, and material specifiers can be confident they are providing an
environmentally responsible choice when selecting EPS to insulate their buildings.”
For more information on this study and other EPS insulation resources, contact Virginia
Lyle at the EPS Molders Association at (800) 607-3772 or visit
www.epsmolders.org. The EPS
Molders Association is a trade organization for the U.S. and Canadian manufacturers of expanded
polystyrene building and construction products.
