HGTV's Brooks Utley Partners With Plastics Make it Possible

WASHINGTON D.C. - Saving energy at home can be a confusing topic, so Plastics Make it Possible®, an initiative sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, is partnering with HGTV's Brooks Utley to show that it doesn't take a lot of money, time, or skill to improve energy efficiency– a priority for most American homeowners. According to a recent survey(1) conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of Plastics Make it Possible® that measured homeowner attitudes toward home-energy efficiency, 92 percent of American homeowners feel it's important to make their homes more energy efficient, yet almost half of those surveyed (46 percent) are not taking the necessary steps to increase their home's energy efficiency because they think it's too expensive. "While most homeowners realize the importance of home-energy efficiency, far fewer are aware of the many cost effective ways to make their homes more energy efficient," said Brooks Utley, green building and design expert and star of HGTV shows The $250,000 Challenge and Designed to Sell. "Plastics are an integral part of home building and design today and can play a big role in making homes more energy efficient. I'm thrilled to be working with Plastics Make it Possible® to show homeowners simple steps they can take to lower their energy bills." To explore new innovations in home energy efficiency available to consumers, Brooks Utley and Plastics Make it Possible® are headed to the 2011 Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. From September 24 through October 2, collegiate teams from across the nation showcase livable homes built using the latest innovations in green building and energy efficiency. "The Solar Decathlon is a great place for Plastics Make it Possible® and Brooks Utley to showcase how plastics can help improve energy efficiency throughout the building and construction industry," said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. "Plastic building products can help reduce energy expenses and lower maintenance costs, too – we're really glad that Brooks is partnering with us to help consumers save energy." To encourage energy efficiency, Plastics Make it Possible® has launched an online interactive house that highlights ways to save energy using plastics. Visitors can customize a virtual home and share it online for entry into a sweepstakes to win a $250 gift card to a home improvement store. Visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com for more information. Consumers can help increase their own home energy efficiency while spending little and without sacrificing style and design. Plastics Make it Possible® offers the following tips:

• Seal it Up: Installing plastic weather stripping around drafty windows and doors helps reduce the loss of warm or cool air throughout the home.
• Swap them Out: Replacing older, inefficient windows with durable, low maintenance vinyl plastic windows can help save on energy costs. More efficient windows help keep hot or cold air where it belongs – whether outside or inside – to reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Insulate: Plastic foam insulation for roofs, walls and foundations helps improve energy efficiency and save on utility bills.

For more information, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com, check out their Facebook page and follow them @plasticpossible on twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticpossible.

Melvin Wylie