“Insulspan® Engineers Are paying attention” to building science advancements

Roger Bowser is the manager of Energy Programs and Services at Midwest Energy Cooperative. He is as passionate about energy efficiency as he is about serving his 35,000 customers.[i] Sometimes, customers call with questions about high energy bills or need tips for reducing cold drafts in a house. Bowser always takes those questions seriously. Insulspan does too, knowing Insulspan SIP walls make a major impact on energy bills.

With that level of commitment in mind, Bowser jumped at the opportunity for the public utility to join forces with the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD). The plan? Build a home on the district’s Adrian, MI campus, working alongside groups of vocational high school students.

After a year of design work, the Sustainable Energy Efficient Demonstration (SEED) house took shape. Soon, legions of professional contractors stood shoulder to shoulder working with students learning residential construction trades. The house, Bowser explained, is a state-of-the-art “permanent classroom.” It even has cut-a-ways for teaching about energy efficiency. And, it’s not just for students. Bowser says consumers, contractors, appraisers, and architects are welcome. [The SEED house is for] “…anyone who wants to see what the future of energy efficiency looks like.”

…walls built with SIPs are energy efficient, durable, and sustainable.

So, how did the project stay true to its mission of providing education about optimum energy efficiency? Bowser incorporated as many types of building technology as possible, looking for innovation, industry leadership, and, of course, local sources.

First, innovation. SIPs, Bowser points out, are a product of advancements in building science. They are also “proof Insulspan’s engineers are paying attention and applying that knowledge.” Second, leadership. In Bowser’s view, this is secured by the fact that walls built with SIPs are energy efficient, durable, and sustainable. Faster to install, too. Students put up the SIP garage walls in considerably less time versus hand-framing.

Students put up the SIP garage walls in considerably less time versus hand-framing.

Finally, with another nod to sustainability, Bowser wanted the SEED house as ‘local’ as possible. Given that the SIP manufacturing facility is about 20 minutes away, “why wouldn’t we partner with an industry leader in our backyard?” The compelling benefits of SIPs were solidified after a day spent working with Insulspan because Insulspan showed the students “how to build it right – not just almost right,” says Bowser.

The Insulspan sales manager says continuously educating audiences about what the product does is essential. He says education includes more than reaching consumers and professionals walking through the SEED house. It also means reaching the students who built it. “Those students are the future of the industry.” Finally– a future we can all get behind.

[i] This includes customers throughout southern Michigan, northern Indiana, and Ohio