SPONSOR: DUPONT

A Commitment to Sustainability Through Building Science

DuPont is at the forefront of the search for sustainable building solutions that improve comfort, enhance life around the world, and have reduced environmental impact. To accelerate our efforts, we have created The Dupont™ Building Knowledge Center. This is where DuPont building scientists and residential and commercial construction professionals can collaborate on new ideas and evaluate weatherization solutions that will lead to construction practices that will yield more energy-efficient and durable structures. DuPont Building Knowledge Center scientists will continue to work with the people, companies, governments, and organizations that are shaping the future of the construction industry.

The Global Collaboratory™

DuPont’s vision is to be the world’s most dynamic science company, creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. These words inform our everyday reality and are part of the way we do business at DuPont. In support of that vision, we are currently focused on developing sustainable solutions for three global challenges: feeding the world, decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting people and the environment. These challenges line up with DuPont’s unique scientific strengths. They offer outstanding business opportunities for our company and will test our ability to deliver solutions that are both innovative and sustainable. To meet these challenges we are building alliances around the world, working alongside others, applying our vast range of scientific expertise and knowledge to complex problems. We think of this way of working as a collaboratory.  

To learn more about our sustainability efforts please review the DuPont 2011 Sustainability Progress Report and the 2011 Global Reporting Initiative Report both available at  http://www2.dupont.com/Sustainability/en_US/

News From Dupont

Help Increase Energy Efficiency with DuPont™ Tyvek® Weatherization Systems

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC represents the largest share of energy use–on average 37%--by all building types.  Air leakage can have a significant impact on the sizing and effectiveness of HVAC systems.
The energy consumed to run a home’s HVAC systems accounts for the major share of energy consumption over the life of a home—making energy efficiency one of the most critical components in reducing the environmental impact of homes.
By helping to increase the airtightness of the building envelope, DuPont Weatherization System products can have a positive impact on energy efficiency in three key ways:

• By increasing the airtightness of the building envelope, DuPont Weatherization System products can help increase energy efficiency in one of a structure’s highest energy-use systems.
• Properly installed DuPont Weatherization System products create an air barrier system that reduces unwanted air flow and helps maintain installed R-values of insulation.
• Wet conditions can dramatically reduce the effectiveness of insulation, regardless of its thickness. DuPont Weatherization System products’ unique balance of air and water hold-out, combined with superior vapor permeability, help contribute to better moisture management within the wall system. By helping to prevent bulk moisture from entering wall systems and allowing moisture vapor to escape, DuPont Weatherization System products help keep walls drier. Dry walls can help extend the life of the home by reducing the risk of water damage to structural materials. Go to www.weatherization.tyvek.com to learn more.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

DuPont Weatherization System products can help improve indoor air quality by reducing uncontrolled air leakage, which helps the HVAC system to maintain comfortable temperatures. They also help to reduce the formation of mold and mildew by preventing bulk water intrusion into the wall system. In addition, the weatherization barriers help prevent external contaminants from entering the home.

• Regenerative Design
• Sustainable Communities
• Energy and Carbon
• Materials and Resources
• Water Efficiency
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Products and Performance
• Building Systems Research
• Market Transformation
• Green Building Codes, Standards, and Rating Systems