NAIMA Sponsors SBIC Seminar Series On Green Building Guidelines

Series Educates Builders and Architects on Designing and Building a More Sustainable Product

Alexandria, VA (January 15, 2004) - The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), a longtime industry member of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC), today announced it has agreed to sponsor SBIC's Green Building Seminars, a national seminar series developed for home builders and architects on green building practices. These seminars are based on SBIC's Green Building Guidelines: Meeting Demand for Low-Energy, Resource Efficient Homes (GBG). The purpose of the seminars is to provide information to those wanting to design and build a more energy and resource-efficient home.

NAIMA, along with other SBIC members, recently updated the GBG, a guidebook that provides builders with an introduction to green building concepts. Production of the GBG Fourth Edition was made possible through the support of NAIMA and other SBIC members. The seminars and guidelines touch on smart growth, land planning issues, energy use, water conservation, materials selection and construction waste management.

"The commitment of organizations like NAIMA and its members to energy efficiency and green building design principles has made this seminar series possible, " said Helen English, Executive Director of SBIC. "Green building is no longer a niche market. Some level of sustainable building practices can be applied today in all new home design. We know that energy efficiency is the key driver to sustainable home design. These seminars help introduce builders and others to the basic tenets of green buildings so they can join the movement."

"NAIMA is pleased to be a part of a seminar series that shows builders how to effectively use fiber glass and mineral wool insulations to enhance energy efficiency and environmentally sound construction practices," said Ken Mentzer, NAIMA's President and CEO. "Our industry actively encourages and supports programs like this, as well as the development of guidelines and standards, which promote energy efficient, sustainable building and construction."

The seminar series, which kicked off last summer, is receiving positive feedback from participants who want to learn more about what constitutes a sustainable home. The next seminar takes place from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Building Show in Las Vegas. To register for the seminar, please contact Doug Schroeder at 202-628-7400, x210 or visit www.sbicouncil.org. SBIC will also release the new version of the Green Building Guidelines at the seminar. The Las Vegas seminar will be held at the Home by Design Showhouse of The Stardust Hotel. The GBG will be made available to the Las Vegas seminar participants at a discounted price. It can also be purchased online through NAHB's Builderbooks.com or from the SBIC web site.

NAIMA is also a sponsor of the Home by Design Showhouse, a unique green building exhibit that will be seen by thousands of home builders, designers and visitors. The Showhouse is accessible from January 8-30, 2004. Fiber glass insulation is prominently featured in the Showhouse attic and floor spaces to demonstrate its role in providing energy efficiency and thermal comfort.