Pella® research finds majority committed to living green
Release date: Dec 7, 2009
Printed from: http://pressroom.pella.com//news_releases/new/305/
Americans are now embracing a commitment to environmental responsibility in their daily routine, according to new research conducted by Pella Corporation. Of those surveyed, a majority of homeowners (83 percent) say ENERGY STAR® products are something they look to incorporate into their home and most (seven in 10) say it’s important for them to qualify for federal tax credits on their energy-saving home improvements. Plus, of the nearly 600 people surveyed, 84 percent say they help create a “better view” in their communities through local involvement. Recycling, donating items to charities or planting trees are among the most popular examples of a renewed environmental commitment to sustainability.
Quote:
“It’s a sign of the times,” according to Jim Nieboer, Pella corporate environmental manager. “What we’re seeing is that people are taking environmental responsibility to heart and doing what they can in their everyday lives to conserve, improve and live with an energy-conscious mindset.”
Progress:
Pella Corporation has had a history of environmental stewardship since its founding in 1925. The many strides the company has made at its headquarters in Pella, Iowa, include recycling of scrap materials like glass, wood and sawdust; even screen materials are recyclable. Here are a few of the facts:
Just-in-time energy savings adopted by Pella’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities has allowed the company to reduce its carbon footprint by about 4,000 tons in 2009.
By-products from Pella’s manufacturing processes are recycled into materials like pet bedding, reflective coating for highways and archery targets.
Pella conducts community-wide e-cycling days each year honoring Earth Day. Since 2005, more than 2,963 households have responsibly recycled more than 9,431 electronic items with a combined weight of 274,912 pounds of electronic waste diverted from the local landfill.
About the Jim Nieboer, corporate environmental manager, video:
A detailed explanation of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Certification and what it means for future generations
Responsibly managed forests and the impact
Retaining the balance of our eco-system
About Pella’s research:
The Pella Home Improvement Survey was conducted by Kelton Research Nov. 10-17, 2009, using an e-mail invitation and online survey.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation.
In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 4 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to feature Pella® products
New episode marks 24th appearance of Pella windows or doors
Release date: Dec 2, 2009
Printed from: http://pressroom.pella.com/news_releases/new/304/
The Sunday, Dec. 6, episode of ABC television network’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (EMHE) will include energy-efficient windows and doors windows donated by Pella Windows & Doors. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC-TV.
The makeover near Woodlawn, Tenn. in Montgomery county marks the 24th appearance of Pella products to help complete the new home construction for a deserving family featured in the series. The new Cape Cod style home will feature sustainable, low-maintenance ThermaStar by Pella® vinyl windows, 850 Series® patio doors made In Pella, Iowa, and a prefinished Pella fiberglass entry door with decorative grilles made in Fairfield, Ohio.
The Pella manufacturing team in Murray, Ky., crafted the windows and assisted members of Pella's National Accounts, Public Relations and Engineering teams with installation.
“Dedicated Pella installers were pleased to team up with ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ to create better views for this deserving Tennessee family,” said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Corporation spokesperson. “The beautiful vinyl windows, fiberglass entry doors and wood patio doors created and expertly installed by Pella make them a natural fit for these inspiring, fast-paced projects.”
Each episode features a race against time on a project that would normally take at least four months to achieve, involving designers, contractors and several hundred workers who have just seven days to build an entire house plus the exterior and landscaping. Viewers see the transformation of the home and the reactions and emotions of the deserving homeowners.
Previous episodes
Pella products were included on 23 previous episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” providing new or renovated homes for deserving families in Suffield, Ct., Albert Lea, Minn.; Geneva, N.Y.; Fairmont, W. Va.; the California cities of Los Angeles, Martinez and Penngrove; and the New Jersey cities of Bergenfield and Irvington. In addition, Pella has provided windows and doors for homes featured on the show in Billings, Mont.; Alma, Ark.; near New Orleans, La.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clarksville, Tenn.; Bountiful, Utah; Purdy, Mo.; Biloxi, Miss.; Berry, Ky.; Minot, N.D.; Gladbrook, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Albany, N.Y.
About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," in its 7th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive- produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8-9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Release date: Dec 2, 2009
Printed from: http://pressroom.pella.com/news_releases/new/304/
The Sunday, Dec. 6, episode of ABC television network’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (EMHE) will include energy-efficient windows and doors windows donated by Pella Windows & Doors. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC-TV.
The makeover near Woodlawn, Tenn. in Montgomery county marks the 24th appearance of Pella products to help complete the new home construction for a deserving family featured in the series. The new Cape Cod style home will feature sustainable, low-maintenance ThermaStar by Pella® vinyl windows, 850 Series® patio doors made In Pella, Iowa, and a prefinished Pella fiberglass entry door with decorative grilles made in Fairfield, Ohio.
The Pella manufacturing team in Murray, Ky., crafted the windows and assisted members of Pella's National Accounts, Public Relations and Engineering teams with installation.
“Dedicated Pella installers were pleased to team up with ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ to create better views for this deserving Tennessee family,” said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Corporation spokesperson. “The beautiful vinyl windows, fiberglass entry doors and wood patio doors created and expertly installed by Pella make them a natural fit for these inspiring, fast-paced projects.”
Each episode features a race against time on a project that would normally take at least four months to achieve, involving designers, contractors and several hundred workers who have just seven days to build an entire house plus the exterior and landscaping. Viewers see the transformation of the home and the reactions and emotions of the deserving homeowners.
Previous episodes
Pella products were included on 23 previous episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” providing new or renovated homes for deserving families in Suffield, Ct., Albert Lea, Minn.; Geneva, N.Y.; Fairmont, W. Va.; the California cities of Los Angeles, Martinez and Penngrove; and the New Jersey cities of Bergenfield and Irvington. In addition, Pella has provided windows and doors for homes featured on the show in Billings, Mont.; Alma, Ark.; near New Orleans, La.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clarksville, Tenn.; Bountiful, Utah; Purdy, Mo.; Biloxi, Miss.; Berry, Ky.; Minot, N.D.; Gladbrook, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Albany, N.Y.
About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," in its 7th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive- produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8-9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Check out these tips about controlling condensation in your home
Understanding condensation
Printed from: http://pressroom.pella.com/fast_facts/87/
Moisture is present in all homes, but when it becomes excessive, homeowners need to take an active role in protecting their investment.
Humidity and condensation
* Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air.
* Condensation is water that forms when warm, moist air hits a cooler surface. In homes, it might occur on surfaces such as windows, bathroom walls and cold-water pipes.
* When interior humidity levels are too high relative to cooler outdoor temperatures, condensation can form on the coldest surface in a room — often the glass in a window or door.
* While windows and doors do not cause condensation, they may be one of the first places it shows up.
What causes condensation?
• Excess humidity is typically the cause of condensation. There are many sources for moisture in a home: showers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, house plants, humans and pets, among others. In newly built homes, additional moisture may escape from building materials such as lumber, plaster and masonry for up to three heating seasons, even with proper air-flow and temperature management.
Older vs. newer homes
• Condensation may be less of an issue in older homes if conditions allow for more air exchange between indoors and out, often from around aging, loose or poorly installed windows and doors. However, the tradeoff is higher energy bills.
• Newer homes, on the other hand, are more airtight and energy efficient. Many have vapor barriers — plastic within the wall cavity that blocks moisture passage in either direction. With tighter fitting doors and windows, vapor barriers and increased insulation, energy costs are lower, but humidity levels must be monitored more closely.
• No matter when your home was built, the key is to strike the right balance when it comes to humidity levels. Air that’s too dry can cause furniture to dry out and crack, joints and studs to shrink and twist, and paint and plaster to crack. Excessive moisture in the home can cause paint to peel and insulation to deteriorate, and condensation on windows and doors can damage sills and trim.
Measuring and controlling humidity
• To determine how much humidity is present in your home, you can purchase a humidity gauge from a hardware store or home center. Invest in a quality unit for greater potential accuracy in assessing humidity levels or consult an expert. Another way to monitor the interior humidity level is to watch your windows. When interior condensation begins to form, reduce the humidity by opening windows, running exhaust fans or dehumidifiers, or minimizing sources of moisture.
• The University of Minnesota Laboratories provides a chart showing recommended relative humidity levels for the home. For a copy, go to www.thermastarbypella.com/maint.asp?section=preventing
Exterior condensation
• Exterior condensation on windows occurs primarily in the morning when days are warm and humid, but nights are cool. Typically, it clears as the day warms. Exterior condensation can occur at any time, especially in warm, humid climates where interior temperatures are cooler than outdoor conditions. Exterior condensation means that windows are doing their job properly. However, if you spot excessive condensation on the inside of your windows, check your inside humidity – it may be a signal of potential problems if not addressed.
Tips for winter-time moisture management
• Closely monitor the furnace humidifier and any other humidifying devices.
• Be sure louvers and vents for the attic, basement and/or crawl space are open, adequately sized and cross-ventilated.
• Run exhaust fans for kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms for longer periods.
• Make sure exhaust fans vent directly outside, not into attics or crawlspaces.
• Be sure chimneys are free and clear so moisture in combustion gases can escape.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for venting gas appliances. In most cases that will mean directing vents to the outside of the home.
• Make sure your furnace is in proper working order and is serviced regularly.
• Store firewood outside or in the garage since as wood dries, it gives off moisture.
• Open a door or window for several minutes each day to refresh the inside air.
• Open window coverings — such as blinds, shades, drapes, and curtains — during daylight hours to increase airflow over the glass.
• Install energy-efficient windows, such as those with the ENERGY STAR® designation.
For more information on condensation in the home, consult the following:
• USDA Forest Service’s Residential Moisture Management Network, www.rmmn.org
• Home Moisture Problems, published by the Oregon State University Extension Services, http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1437.pdf
• University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety, www.dehs.umn.edu
Printed from: http://pressroom.pella.com/fast_facts/87/
Moisture is present in all homes, but when it becomes excessive, homeowners need to take an active role in protecting their investment.
Humidity and condensation
* Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air.
* Condensation is water that forms when warm, moist air hits a cooler surface. In homes, it might occur on surfaces such as windows, bathroom walls and cold-water pipes.
* When interior humidity levels are too high relative to cooler outdoor temperatures, condensation can form on the coldest surface in a room — often the glass in a window or door.
* While windows and doors do not cause condensation, they may be one of the first places it shows up.
What causes condensation?
• Excess humidity is typically the cause of condensation. There are many sources for moisture in a home: showers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, house plants, humans and pets, among others. In newly built homes, additional moisture may escape from building materials such as lumber, plaster and masonry for up to three heating seasons, even with proper air-flow and temperature management.
Older vs. newer homes
• Condensation may be less of an issue in older homes if conditions allow for more air exchange between indoors and out, often from around aging, loose or poorly installed windows and doors. However, the tradeoff is higher energy bills.
• Newer homes, on the other hand, are more airtight and energy efficient. Many have vapor barriers — plastic within the wall cavity that blocks moisture passage in either direction. With tighter fitting doors and windows, vapor barriers and increased insulation, energy costs are lower, but humidity levels must be monitored more closely.
• No matter when your home was built, the key is to strike the right balance when it comes to humidity levels. Air that’s too dry can cause furniture to dry out and crack, joints and studs to shrink and twist, and paint and plaster to crack. Excessive moisture in the home can cause paint to peel and insulation to deteriorate, and condensation on windows and doors can damage sills and trim.
Measuring and controlling humidity
• To determine how much humidity is present in your home, you can purchase a humidity gauge from a hardware store or home center. Invest in a quality unit for greater potential accuracy in assessing humidity levels or consult an expert. Another way to monitor the interior humidity level is to watch your windows. When interior condensation begins to form, reduce the humidity by opening windows, running exhaust fans or dehumidifiers, or minimizing sources of moisture.
• The University of Minnesota Laboratories provides a chart showing recommended relative humidity levels for the home. For a copy, go to www.thermastarbypella.com/maint.asp?section=preventing
Exterior condensation
• Exterior condensation on windows occurs primarily in the morning when days are warm and humid, but nights are cool. Typically, it clears as the day warms. Exterior condensation can occur at any time, especially in warm, humid climates where interior temperatures are cooler than outdoor conditions. Exterior condensation means that windows are doing their job properly. However, if you spot excessive condensation on the inside of your windows, check your inside humidity – it may be a signal of potential problems if not addressed.
Tips for winter-time moisture management
• Closely monitor the furnace humidifier and any other humidifying devices.
• Be sure louvers and vents for the attic, basement and/or crawl space are open, adequately sized and cross-ventilated.
• Run exhaust fans for kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms for longer periods.
• Make sure exhaust fans vent directly outside, not into attics or crawlspaces.
• Be sure chimneys are free and clear so moisture in combustion gases can escape.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for venting gas appliances. In most cases that will mean directing vents to the outside of the home.
• Make sure your furnace is in proper working order and is serviced regularly.
• Store firewood outside or in the garage since as wood dries, it gives off moisture.
• Open a door or window for several minutes each day to refresh the inside air.
• Open window coverings — such as blinds, shades, drapes, and curtains — during daylight hours to increase airflow over the glass.
• Install energy-efficient windows, such as those with the ENERGY STAR® designation.
For more information on condensation in the home, consult the following:
• USDA Forest Service’s Residential Moisture Management Network, www.rmmn.org
• Home Moisture Problems, published by the Oregon State University Extension Services, http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1437.pdf
• University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety, www.dehs.umn.edu
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