Menlo Park, Calif. – May 25 – Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Northern California builder Clarum Homes announced today that it will unveil San Mateo County’s first passive house on Wednesday, June 2. Located in the community of Menlo Park, Calif., this unprecedented zero energy home relies on an airtight and highly insulated system to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent1, improving indoor air quality and saving homeowners on their heating and cooling costs.

“Since 1994, Clarum Homes has been dedicated to delivering innovative and sustainable homes in Northern California,” said John Suppes, President, Clarum Homes. “With our latest passive homes we’re taking a step past what most focus on as being green, to really get to the heart of the matter for homeowners - energy efficiency, comfort and health.  This home establishes a new benchmark in the Menlo Park community by utilizing the most advanced building technologies on the market today to deliver a responsible and aesthetically beautiful dwelling experience.”

A passive house is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, and other objects.According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a 2,000-square-foot passive house only requires a quarter of the energy required by the average U.S. home for heating annually1.

To help achieve this requirement, Clarum Homes employed the most energy efficient windows, roofing and insulation materials, including the Owens Corning EnergyComplete™ System. This whole home insulation and air sealing system uses a foam-based sealant with Flexible Seal Technology to fill in small cracks, gaps and seams in the building framework to help prevent air and moisture infiltration. Owens Corning PINK® FIBERGLAS™ insulation completes the system by providing thermal control.

“We’re excited to be part of such a unique project that is sure to benefit the Menlo Park community for generations,” said Matt Girand, Director, Products and Programs, Residential Insulation.  “In addition to helping homeowners save on their heating and cooling bills, the high-performing EnergyComplete System provides for better room-to-room comfort and meets the strictest environmental qualifications.”

To celebrate the delivery of San Mateo’s first passive home, Clarum Homes will host an open house event on Thursday, June 2 from 10a.m.–2p.m. at 1206 North Lemon in Menlo Park. Light refreshments will be served and experts will be on hand to provide visitors a “behind-the-wall-look” at the products included in San Mateo County’s first passive house.

To learn more, visit <http://www.Clarum.com> or call 650.322.7069.

About Clarum Homes
Clarum Homes has been building exceptional new communities, custom homes and apartment homes in Northern California since 1994. A dedication to sustainability and an early commitment to the green building movement quickly made Clarum Homes a leader in green building.

About Owens Corning
Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass-fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems.  A Fortune® 500 Company for 56 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability by delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives.  Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass-fiber technology with sales of $5.0 billion in 2010 and about 15,000 employees in 28 countries on five continents.  Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com