Carbon reductions

The truth about carbon emissions.

Many people think about light bulbs when they think green. However, it would take 46 light bulbs to equal the carbon emission reductions from insulating 1 foot of bare pipe! The EPA says that the average home has 40 lightbulbs, which means more than ONE HOUSE would have to be completely dark for ONE YEAR to equal JUST ONE FOOT OF INSULATION! Clearly, light bulbs are not the answer.

What is the answer? What one thing can help homes, industrial plants, and commercial buildings?       INSULATION          

Need more proof? No problem!
From articles to webinars to original research plus more, NIA has gathered resources to help you learn more about the science behind insulation's effectiveness.

Educational Articles

Insulation Outlook Magazine Articles

For more articles, visit the Insulation Outlook archives and search keywords such as carbon, ESG, and efficiency.

Building and Industry Connection (BIC Magazine) Articles
POWER Magazine Article

Resources & Tools

  1. Curious about your GHG? Use the EPA's GHG Equivalencies Calculator.
  2. Just starting out? The DOE's Better Buildings' Decarbonization Resource Hub is an excellent resource for decarbonization basics, goal-setting, prioritizing energy efficiency, and more.
  3. DOE has developed multiple no-cost low-carbon tools and calculators that aim to help industrial facilities reduce their carbon emissions: Low Carbon Action Plan Tool, a Carbon Inventory Calculator, and an Electrification Impact Calculator.  Open-source software can be downloaded at DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office Github page.
  4. DOE’s Financing Navigator allows organizations to evaluate a broad range of financing options for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy projects.
  5. Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) is a suite of no-cost, open-source software tools that allow industrial energy end users to model facility data, evaluate energy use, and improve industrial energy efficiency. The MEASUR software suite includes more than 70 calculators and assessment tools for a broad range of industrial processes, including pumping systems, process heating, fan systems, steam systems, and compressed air.

NIA & DOE Partnership Webinars on Decarbonization Topics

Visit NIA's Webinar page to view all upcoming and archived webinars.

A Podcast You Don't Want to Miss

NIA Executive Vice President/CEO Michele M. Jones sat down with The Freeman Report Podcast Host and NIA Past President Kenny Freeman for a wide-ranging discussion on the important role that mechanical insulation can and should play in the decarbonization discussion.

Moving mechanical insulation out of the shadows and into the spotlight, this podcast will help listeners understand that mechanical insulation is on a whole other level from what they may be familiar with in their home’s attic and walls and can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases and moving us toward decarbonization goals. Listen to The Freeman Report here.

Research & Data

Independent Study Confirms Insulation Upgrades are Keys to Significant Energy Savings and Emission Reductions in Existing Buildings

A coalition of trade associations, including the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, the Insulation Contractors Association of America, the National Insulation Association, the American Chemistry Council (Plastics Division) and the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, commissioned a study that quantifies the benefits of completing insulation retrofit projects across residential, commercial and industrial buildings and underlines the potential impact forward-thinking policies can have on decarbonizing the built environment.

Read the press release here.

Read the Executive Summary here.

Read the Insulation Industry Opportunity Study here.

Watch a free webinar here on the study. (registration required)

NIA Is a Department of Energy (DOE) Better Climate Challenge Ally

“We are excited to be an ally and amplify the message about the power of insulation as a thermal technology solution to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy efficiency. NIA has been sharing this message of reducing energy consumption and saving money for decades. As governments, companies, and individuals work to reduce their carbon footprints and reduce GHG emissions, we are eager to share the message that insulation plays an important role in helping achieve their immediate, short-term, and long-term goals. We look forward to working with the DOE and our peers to help create a better planet.”—NIA EVP/CEO Michele M. Jones

NIA Joins Better Climate Challenge as an Ally and Promotes Partnerships: Learn what it means to be part of the DOE's Better Climate Challenge.

From Insulation Outlook: DOE Better Climate Challenge Partners: 3 NIA member companies have taken the pledge. (December 2022)

From Insulation Outlook: How Your Organization Can Partner with the U.S. Department of Energy to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Programs and resources to help you wherever you are on your decarbonization journey.  (July 2022)