A report from the American Chemistry Council was released recently during the insulation industry national policy and advocacy meeting. This report, The Contributions of Insulation to the U.S. Economy in 2016, is the most recent analysis of the massive economic impact the U.S. insulation industry has on the American economy.
This report indicates that the U.S. insulation industry contributes $20 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports nearly 400,000 jobs throughout the United States. There are three key areas where the insulation industry contributes that directly align with key initiatives in Washington:
- Health/Healthcare Costs
- Studies show a positive connection between energy efficiency activities such as adding insulation and sealing air leaks and health. These improvements can create healthier living environments that can have a positive impact on respiration, asthma and general health. These health improvements can have a secondary benefit of cutting health care costs.
- Reduced Energy Costs/Use
- Adding insulation lowers energy use and energy costs, allowing homeowners keep more money in their pockets. Increasing insulation levels in existing homes would cut electricity use across the country by 37 billion kilowatt hours. In addition, 90 percent of homes in the U.S. are under insulated, resulting in unnecessarily high energy costs.
- Infrastructure
- Our country’s infrastructure goes beyond roads and bridges to include buildings as well. Activities such as incorporating sustainable materials, efficient building envelope design, insulating and air sealing help reduce air pollution damage. It also can reduce municipal costs through reduced power plants, transmission/distribution lines and more.
Learn more in the full report.
