Climate Change Gas Emissions Lower When Compared to Use of Conventional Slab Foundations in Residential Home Construction

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (February 22, 2007) — Pacific Housing Systems ™, LLC today announced the availability of a new whitepaper entitled “Lowering the Carbon Footprint When Using the WAFFLEMAT System for Concrete Slab Foundations.” The study provides analysis on the production, transportation, and use of concrete in residential slab foundations, and concludes use of the WAFFLEMAT System in residential home construction can reduce the level of climate change gas emissions by 20% -- the equivalent of 4 to 9 tons less CO2 released into the atmosphere per home -- when compared to conventional slab foundations.

Sam Altshuler, Sr. Consultant, P.E., M.E., and State of California Board Certified Environmental Engineer, said, “The manufacture and transportation of concrete produces significant amounts of carbon dioxide, which is the main anthropogenic gas contributing to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Since the WAFFLEMAT System is made up of foundation-forming WAFFLEBOXES that displace concrete, less concrete is utilized in the foundation of a home when compared to conventional ribbed or uniform thickness foundation slabs. And, that translates into several tons less CO2 released into the atmosphere.”

John Suppes, President and CEO of Clarum Homes, and a nationally-recognized leader in “green building,” noted, “Our Enviro-Home™ features products and systems that reduce energy consumption, encourage conservation, and use recycled or sustainable resources. We like the fact the WAFFLEMAT System reduces CO2 , as that fits into our strategy of providing the best in environmentally-friendly designed homes.”

David Sunding, professor of environmental and resource economics in the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley, and former senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, said, “Using products that lower CO2 emissions is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for business. For example, and in California , Governor Schwarzenegger's executive order to begin implementation of a market-based compliance program encourages businesses to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. It’s also clearly a step in the right direction toward cleaning our air of harmful carbon particulates.”

About Pacific Housing Systems
Pacific Housing Systems, LLC is a leading provider of next-generation foundation solutions for residential homebuilders developing projects on expansive soil. The company’s WAFFLEMAT, Elevated Slab, and Raised Wood Floor systems -- all made in the U.S.A. -- are specially designed and engineered where these conditions (hillsides, areas with high water tables, firm clays/organics, expansive, rocky, and hydro-collapsible soils) are prevalent, and include the Winslow Geo Anchor and Lateral Resistance Device components. PHS products and systems enable developers to increase the speed, quality, and quantity of construction, providing savings in material costs, building cycle-time, and future reliability issues. For additional information, visit www.pacifichousingsystems.com or call 925.683.2739.