Carbon reductions

Research & Data

JUST RELEASED!
A Study on Insulation’s Positive Impact on Energy Efficiency & Emission Reductions

November 2023: The National Insulation Association (NIA) and the Foundation for Mechanical Insulation Education, Training, and Industry Advancement commissioned—for the first time in the history of the mechanical insulation industry—a study to determine the impact mechanical insulation systems can have on reducing the demand for energy and greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis of high-service temperature ranges (150°F–800°F) examines and interprets an 11-year window of information. This webinar includes a comprehensive overview of the study results and an explanation of how these facts can help you and your customers understand the importance of mechanical insulation, and its practical application, in rapidly achieving decarbonization goals for companies, states, and our country.

For questions about this study or requests for interviews and articles, email research@insulation.org.

 

2022: 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.

NIA & DOE Partnership Webinars on Decarbonization Topics

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

Putting Knowledge into Action: 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 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.

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

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, Published in Insulation Outlook magazine)

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 CO2 reductions from insulating 1 foot of bare pipe!

One foot of insulated pipe = 46 light bulbs, One house = 40 light bulbs (according to EPA)
Turning off the power to one house for a year is LESS than the CO2 savings of 1 foot of MI.

Can you see that light bulbs are not the answer. What is the answer? What one technology can help homes, industrial plants, and commercial buildings?
MECHANICAL INSULATION          

Need more proof? No problem!
From articles to webinars to original research, NIA has gathered resources to help you learn more about the science behind mechanical 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

 

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.