Performance. Comfort. Safety.

Both independently and combined, these reasons are enough to install Applegate. But there is another reason that is often overlooked—when you chose Applegate you help protect the environment.

Are Some Insulations "Greener" Than Others?

Insulation is inherently green because it increases the energy efficiency of homes and buildings. But are some insulations "greener" than others? It's worth a look, especially with the strong interest in environmental responsibility.

Recycled Content

Insulation can be an excellent, high quality end use for materials that would otherwise be dumped into landfills.

Applegate Cellulose Insulation contains up to 85% recycled paper, and can be up to 50% more effective than other insulations! It's green from start to finish! 

The recycled content of fiberglass insulation ranges from 0-40%, primarily glass products, and that figure often includes waste from the manufacturing line itself.

Spray foam insulation is a petroleum based product. It contains little or no recycled content and most formulations are made from a non-renewable resource.

Manufacturing Energy

The amount of energy consumed to manufacture a product is known as its "embodied energy".

Manufacturing fiberglass for a home consumes six times more energy than manufacturing Applegate to insulate the same home to the same R-value. Foam products contain up to 64 times more embodied energy than cellulose insulation!

Emissions

Standing outside an Applegate plant, one can hear humming motors but there are no smoke plumes and no odors because there are virtually zero emissions. Manufacturing fiberglass for just one home generates over 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide! Fiberglass factories also generate enormous amounts of other chemicals used in its manufacture (formaldehyde, urea, polyvinyl acetate, chlorides, etc.). 

Conclusion

Some insulations are definitely greener than others. Individual homeowners can make a significant environmental impact by choosing the most environmentally responsible, high performance insulation for their home. Builders, architects, and insulation contractors who influence the choice of insulation for many buildings have the opportunity to make a profound impact by using Applegate.