EPA Targets Reflective Insulation for Removal from “Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR” Program

In April 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent a letter to Reflective Insulation Manufacturers informing them that EPA is considering removing reflective insulation from the “Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR” Program and adding them to the list of Excluded Products. This was based on EPA’s concerns that to date, no reflective insulation manufacturers had met the certification requirements for the “Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR” Program for any of their products. In addition, EPA stated that reflective manufacturers have had a difficult time showing how reflective insulation products can meet building codes as a stand-alone product or integrated into a whole wall, ceiling, roof deck, or floor system insulation strategy. Lastly, EPA noted that manufacturers claim their products can be used in applications which EPA does not certify.

EPA has invited stakeholders to provide feedback on these issues and whether it should proceed in excluding reflective insulation from EPA’s “Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR” Program.

A copy of the full letter can be found here.