Think Environmental Responsibility When Planning A New Home Purchase

(HIT)-For many of us who are environmentally responsible, purchasing eco-conscious products is often of high importance. Yet, for the largest purchase most of us will make in our lifetimes, the purchase of a home, we often forget about environmental responsibility. What many of us may not know is that it is possible to buy a "green" home.

"Ask your builder lots of questions," advises Eric Nilsson, director of marketing with CertainTeed's Insulation Group. "Ask if he utilizes the land he builds on in an environmentally responsible way. Ask if he uses building materials made with recycled materials. Inquire about the installation of energy efficient products such as heating systems. They'll reduce the emission of carbon dioxide gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to the Greenhouse Effect."

Another way to ensure high indoor environmental quality in your new dwelling is by asking your builder if he uses products and materials certified for indoor air quality performance. For instance, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies products based on low VOC and particle emissions. These products provide a low risk for emitting chemicals that contribute to indoor air pollution. CertainTeed's fiber glass insulation products are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified and were subject to a rigorous series of independent tests covering a whole spectrum of indoor pollutants.

"GREENGUARD performs monitoring tests on our products on a quarterly basis to ensure their low emitting status," says Nilsson.

For additional information on GREENGUARD Certification, prospective homebuilders can contact the GREENGUARD INSTITUTE at www.greenguard.org or write to the CertainTeed Home Institute, P.O. Box 860, Valley Forge, PA 19482. Call 1-800-782-8777 for the free pamphlet "Purchasing An Environmentally Responsible Home." Also visit us on the Internet at www.certainteed.com.