“Green” Business Opportunities Set To Prosper As Billions Of Economic Recovery Bill Dollars Begin To Flow…Get In On The Action!
Be Your Own Boss, Start a Green Business, Be Part of the Revolution!
In an effort to jump-start the nation’s economy, Congress and the new Administration recently passed a $787 billion economic recovery plan. The plan invests in projects that will create jobs, with emphasis on improving the environment, education and the availability and affordability of health care.
In the areas of “green building” and increased energy efficiency specifically, the amount of money set aside is well into the billions of dollars. And a significant portion of that amount is designated for training programs at the state level. Each state is responsible for training teams of professionals who can then build or retrofit the millions of buildings, schools and homes in that state to comply with what will soon be a nationwide “green” standard. In fact, intense efforts are underway to develop a universal means of evaluating the energy efficiency of homes and other structures, much the same way cars are rated in terms of gas mileage and emissions.
It is no surprise that homes and the amount of carbon dioxide they pump into the atmosphere by virtue of inadequate insulation are one of the leading causes of global warming. A number of arguably controversial experts have been making the case for years that the industry-standard fiberglass insulation used in all new construction up until just a short time ago is inefficient, especially when it is installed improperly. Furthermore, they assert that improper installation is the rule, not the exception, and that fiberglass, as it is currently manufactured for insulation purposes, is carcinogenic and therefore extremely dangerous.
Today, many scientists finally would concur with those assertions. And what about those experts? Well, it’s been a long haul, but they aren’t so controversial anymore. In fact, their expertise and passion make them more valuable than ever to a great many. They’re a resource not only for anyone with an interest in environmental issues, but in making a living creating tried, tested and in-demand solutions to current and future energy challenges.
One of those experts is Richard Munson. “Mr. Cellulose"
Richard Munson is the President of Par/PAC, Inc. Par/PAC offers a two-fold business opportunity to individuals who want to own their own company constructing and retrofitting homes, buildings or any other insulated structure with the most energy-efficient options available. First, Par/PAC’s certified installers are trained in the marketing and use of the air-tight, reinforced vapor barrier system the company patented in 1993. This one-of-a-kind system allows for the efficient and cost-effective insulation of predominantly new construction projects using dry, blown-in cellulose. Second, Par/PAC’s installers are given all the training and support, as well as the ability to purchase the equipment they need to begin retrofitting existing buildings and homes to meet current Energy Star standards.
Munson’s leadership at Par/PAC is important, but perhaps even more critical is the role he has played for decades in the evolution of the insulation industry and the ongoing discussion about it strengths and weaknesses. Once vilified, now vindicated in many ways, Munson hasn’t been called “Mr. Cellulose” since the early 70s for nothing. Advocacy regarding safe and energy-efficient building and home insulation and the need to look at cellulose as the safest and most logical and affordable alternative has been and continues to be his life’s work.
Just five minutes into a discussion with him, and anyone would be hard-pressed to not appreciate his passion about and incredible knowledge regarding the insulation issue.
According to Munson, for as long as houses and buildings in the U.S. have been being built en masse, the standard product used has been fiberglass. Fiberglass in and of itself is not terrible. In fact, Munson is quick to point out that it’s actually a terrific product with a great many potential benefits, if it is produced, installed and used properly. It’s just that the dimensions of fiberglass, as it has been manufactured for insulation purposes thus far, make it potentially very dangerous. The current aspect ratio (which compares a fiber’s diameter to its length) for the standard fiberglass used in insulation is such that the fibers themselves can actually get lodged in the smallest parts of the lung, potentially causing asthma, other breathing problems and even cancer.
Additionally, fiberglass is oftentimes installed improperly. It is an unfortunate fact that the product can and has been all too easily manipulated by unscrupulous insulation contractors to look and seem like it is and will do its job, when it won’t. Munson has been raising the roof about these unseemly business practices, which he calls the “Four Deadly Sins,” for years. “I’ve been pointing out the downsides of fiberglass and how it’s the perfect product for fraud for a long time,” Munson says. “The government and industry organizations have wanted to look the other way because to expose fraud in business is no easy task, but that is changing.”
As for energy efficiency, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratories have found that the minute heat begins to affect fiberglass insulation, given the way it has been installed in the past, it loses as much as 50% of its thermal resistance. The costs of this inefficiency are practically incalculable, both to the environment and any home or building owner. Today, it is close to impossible to affordably build any new home or building using fiberglass insulation that will pass the nationwide Energy Star standard.
Munson’s mission to educate and inform the public about the need to replace fiberglass with cellulose makes both good environmental and economic sense. “Cellulose is natural and organic,” he says. “It’s made almost entirely of recycled newspaper and it can’t be manipulated in a fraudulent way like fiberglass can.” To retrofit an average size home’s attic would mean covering fiberglass with just two inches of cellulose at a cost of roughly $2,000. The government then offers a 30% tax credit up to $1,500. Given this is all that is needed to stop convective heat loss and reduce the penetration of radiant energy by at least 50% in most cases, the return on investment for the average homeowner alone is huge.
For individuals who see an opportunity here, you’re smart. The potential market for retrofitting the estimated 80 million homes nationwide that need it is mind-blowing, and that’s not even counting schools, office buildings, churches…you get the picture!
Munson believes there has never been a better time to get into this business that he has spent a lifetime creating and feels holds so much promise for the future. He assures anyone with an interest in the industry that insulating a building or home to be energy efficient is not expensive or complicated.
“States are providing training to individuals who want to become energy auditors and weatherization insulation installers right now.” In fact, Munson just completed the training program that is currently being offered by the State of Maine, where both Munson and Par/PAC are headquartered. He points out that $50 million is in play to train 500 weatherization teams in Maine alone. Multiply those numbers by 50 states, many of which are considerably larger than Maine, and you’ve got thousands of people that will be finding themselves in a potentially different line of work, and fast! “I encourage people who are interested in this industry to contact their state’s Department of Energy and inquire about the training. Once a person is certified, he/she can get to work contacting homeowners to educate them on how they can affordably retrofit their own homes and save a lot of money each month on their home heating and air bills.”
Any installer who gets training in his/her state and then becomes associated with Par/PAC is guaranteed a tremendous shot at success. Munson himself provides them with the ongoing support they need to get started in the business and stay there. His national advertising and public education efforts help to increase the visibility of and demand for Par/PAC installers’ products and services. The company has also received numerous accolades from individuals and organizations that have experienced first-hand the economic benefit of working with Par/PAC-certified installers and its unique vapor-barrier system.
Starting a business of your own is always a calculated risk. But by pursuing a business opportunity in such a long-standing industry poised to meet ever-increasing demand for its products and services, your chances of making it increase substantially. Add to it the support, encouragement and experience of a man who really believes in what he is doing, and you’re really on your way.
And, let’s face it, being part of the solution, not the problem when it comes to the environment, just plain feels good. It sure does to Munson. “I’ve been on a lifelong mission, and I’m finally seeing the results,” he says. “You take nothing with you. If you leave something for your grandchildren, you’ve accomplished something,” he continues. ‘Leave the world a better place to live,’ I always say.”
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