Visit Building 2000, the Rockwool research centre in Denmark, Hedehusene. This low energy building is among the world's most energy efficient offices; a "green" building which minimises the consumption of resources and at the same time ensures a good indoor climate as well as modern conveniences.

Energy efficiency has become the largest ‘energy source’. Bigger than oil. And much bigger than wind, solar and hydropower and bio fuels combined.
 
Unlike giving up your car and mobility, making buildings energy efficient will increase our standard of living and create more jobs.
 
Buildings hold the largest potential for energy savings, which are profitable to the building owner and beneficial to society.
 
A modern house loses thermal energy in three ways – through the building envelope (its walls, roofs and floors), through its windows and through ventilation – in particular through gaps and cracks. Low – energy buildings must tackle all 3 weak spots. With proper insulation, good windows, and gaps and leaks all sealed, the full benefit of a ventilation system with heat recovery is realised.

Home Information Pack (HIP)   
 
The UK government proposes that, starting from 6  April 2008, it will require a “Sellers Pack” to be available for new dwellings  – to be called the Home Information Pack HIP. For more information on the timing of the introduction of HIPs, please see  Home Information Pack website.
 
It is anticipated that the HIP will incorporate the house’s energy performance certificate giving its energy rating, together with information concerning local searches, property information, etc.
 
Although there may be no regulatory requirement to upgrade energy performance standards for existing houses, the UK government believes that the needs for the HIP will stimulate the householders to upgrade insulation and other energy efficiency measures to be able to quote a better Energy Rating for their house on sale.

Sustainability

From the moment the raw materials used in the fabrication process are extracted Rockwool products become part of a unique chain of events which combine to make them truly sustainable. We call this the RockCycle.

ORIGIN
The RockCycle starts deep underground. Magma,forced up through cracks solidifies to form Diabase, an igneous rock. Diabase is the raw material used to manufacture our stone wool products. It is the key to Rockwool’s 4 in1 insulation solutions which deliver superior thermal, fire, acoustic and sustainable performance.

CREATION
The production of Rockwool mimics the natural process as volcanic Diabase rock and
other raw materials are melted in a furnace and spun on wheels to form stone wool fibres. Binder and impregnating oil provide stability and water-repellency before the wool is compressed to the required density and shape. The product is cured, cut to size for packaging and delivery.

FUNCTION
Once installed Rockwool saves energy through minimising heat loss. This conserves
non-renewable fossil fuels and reduces air pollution. Over a life span of fifty years a typical Rockwool product will save 100’s of times more energy than used in its production. In addition to thermal efficiency and sustainability, Rockwool’s 4in1 insulation also delivers superior fire and acoustic performance.

REPLENISHMENT
The natural process by which Diabase is formed creates new reserves every year, around 38,000 times more than Rockwool extracts. It’s this unique process of natural renewal that completes the RockCycle and delivers true sustainability.

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