Buildings that are both energy efficient and disaster-resistant are a win-win for consumers and communities, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said today.
May is National Building Safety Month and IBHS is providing guidance on integrating disaster resistance and energy efficiency during Energy and Green Building Week.
“Disaster-resistant construction is a core part of green building because a home or business will not be environmentally sound if it ends up in a landfill or washed out to sea following a natural catastrophe,” said Julie Rochman, president & CEO of IBHS. “Buildings that are durable and sustainable also decrease the amount of materials viagra generic needed to repair and rebuild following disasters reducing the amount of energy and natural resources needed for communities to recover.”
“Two-fers” – building components that provide a dual benefit – are the most cost-effective way to achieve buildings that are both sustainable and durable, according to Rochman.
- When an existing roof requires replacement, it should be done with a roof that offers both disaster resistance and energy efficiency (by reducing peak cooling de
mand by 10-15 percent).
- Seal energy leaks in the roof that are found during an inspection by a roofing professional, which can help make a house more air tight (and hence more energy efficient), while also preventing wind-driven water from entering the home during a storm.
- Double-pane, impact resistant windows with tempered glass keep cool/warm air in and hail, wind and wildfire fire out.
“These ‘two-fers’ offer the best of both worlds — reduced energy consumption and costs, along with increased protection from property damage due to natural disasters,” Rochman said. “Building and retrofitting structures that are both green and durable will make our communities stronger, safer and better able to withstand natural catastrophes.”
IBHS is a leading national expert on preparing for, and repairing and rebuilding structures after, a catastrophe to make them more disaster-resistant. To arrange an interview with IBHS, contact Joseph King at 813-675-1045/813-442-2845, jking@ibhs.org or via direct message on Twitter @jsalking.
Visit www.DisasterSafety.org for more information about how to make your buildings more resistant to a variety of disasters, big and small. Follow IBHS on Twitter at @DisasterSafety and on Facebook.
