FTC insulation regulations don't absolve homeowners of their responsibilities

By: Frank S. Burgen President Celotex Building Products Division Tampa, Florida

'l' HERE HAS been too much I buck passing in recent months on the subject of who is responsible for guaranteeing our homes contain the best possible energy-saving features. The government has been critical of builders, who in turn criticize building product manufacturers, who respond they are only producing what consumers will buy.

It is my contention the primary responsibility for making certain a home is properly energy-efficient lies directly with the consumer. After all, he has to pay the utility bills, month after month, year after year. With a projected 200/o annual increase in heating costs, consumers have a considerable incentive to face the issue.

That is not to say builders, architects, manufacturers and the government don't have a role in the process. They do indeed. Each has the ethical, and in many instances, the legal obligation to provide consumers with the facts and figures needed for prudent decision-making. That role must expand as our energy problems become more severe. But, in the final analysis, the consumer ultimately will decide how energy-efficient his new or existing home is to be made.

It has been estimated that 700/o of all American homes have no insulation or are under-insulated. By today's standards, this is a national problem which can't be ignored. A new Federal Trade Commission Home Insulation regulation soon to take effect, will require consumers be informed of the insulation values in new housing.

For the first time, those in each link of the home insulation distributive chain, must make available precise documentation on the real value of the insulating material they are selling and installing.

Although it is popular to utter disparaging remarks about federal regulations, I believe this particular regulation is basically good in that it will provide consumers with the information necessary to enable them to make intelligent judgements about the home insulation materials they are considering,

(Please turn to page 56)

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Insulation Regs

(Continued from page 54) based upon consistent data.

Penalties of up to $10,000 per offense can be levied against violators at every level, including manufacturers, wholesalers, supliers and builders. I hope the FTC will take the necessary steps to ensure that their regulations are adhered to whereby the consumer will be provided the proper information on home insulation.

Builders must get away from using minimum home insulation and/or inferior materials which may be represented as energy efficient but in actuality are marginal at best.

Even today, in many parts of the country, homes valued at $100,000 and more can be seen under construction with inferior insulation materials. This is inexcusable upon consideration of the many good products available at little additional cost. Also. in the case of sidewall insulation, the best and least expensive time to properly and adequately insulate is when the house is being built.

Our nation is at a crucial crossroad. Without a clearly defined national energy policy, it is incum- bent upon us, as individuals, and as interested organizations, to develop meaningful ways of facing up to the problems.

Those involved in each phase of the building process should be especially sensitive to home insulation. Ultimately, however, consumers must shoulder this responsibility and demand housing that satisfies today's and tomorrow's needs.

Watch Those Coffee Breaks

lf your employees have unpaid lunch breaks. investigate before exchanging any of the time for coffee breaks.

In a recent case. a wholesaler allowed his employees to use l5 nrinutes of their unpaid lunch time mid-morning for a coffee break. As a result he had to pay overtime for the coffee break at lrlr hours per week per employee, 5x l5 minutes.

According to the Wage/Flour law in some states coffee breaks and other short periods frnm five to 20 minutes must be counted as tinte worked and are subject to overtime. Check with your lawyer before permitting changes.

Thot's How ll Goes!

"Jim, could ;,ou get me this hour's pricc list? This one nas onl), good until 2 o'clock."

The Merchonl Mogozine