The Federal Trade Commission sued four companies that sell paint products used as roof coatings, alleging they deceived consumers about their products’ insulation and energy-savings capabilities, according to www.ftc.gov.
In complaints filed in federal court, the FTC charged the companies falsely overstated the R-value ratings of the coatings, making deceptive statements about heat flow and insulating power.
“Companies touting the energy-saving properties of their products must have scientific support for their claims,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “When they don’t, the FTC will step in to make sure they do.”
The FTC filed complaints against the following four companies:
- The FTC’s complaint against Superior Products International II Inc. alleges it markets its Super Therm and Sunshield roof and wall coatings using deceptive energy-savings and R-value claims. The complaint states the defendants falsely claim the products provide significant energy savings of “between 40% and 70%” for consumers when applied to a home or other building. The FTC also says the defendants are unable to substantiate the claim that the products have an R-value (or equivalency) of R-19 when they have an R-value of less than one.
- The FTC’s complaint against SuperTherm Inc. alleges it markets MultiCeramics Insulation coating using deceptive R-value claims, falsely stating the product provides the equivalent of R-19 insulation when it has an R-value of less than one.
- The FTC’s complaint against SPM Thermo-Shield Inc. alleges they deceptively market their Thermo-Shield Roof Coat, among other products, as having R-values of R-22 and R-21, and they provide significant energy savings for consumers. The complaint states these R-value claims are false and the coatings have R-values lower than one. Additionally, the defendants cannot substantiate their energy-savings claims.
- The FTC’s complaint against F & G International Group Holdings LLC and FG International LLC alleges they market their FGI-4440 Insulation Coating using deceptive R-value claims, claiming the product provides “an equivalent R value greater than 30” when FGI-4440 has an actual R-value of less than one. The FTC also alleges the defendants falsely claim testing supports their R-value claims.
