According to the US Department of Energy, more than half of the energy cost of the average home goes into heating and cooling. Furthermore, 30% of the heating and cooling cost is the result of air infiltration. One of the newest advancements in home products, expanding spray foam insulation, can significantly reduce the amount of air leakage within a house.
Air leakage is often most noticeable during winter months. This is because it is during the winter that the maximum temperature difference exists between the warm interior and the cold exterior of a house. This maximum difference in temperature causes a large pressure discrepancy between a home's inside and outside environments. In turn, this pressure discrepancy causes the warm inside air to be pushed through any small gaps to the cold laying outdoors. Therefore, these small gaps allow the heat which you paid for to escape from your house.
Expanding spray foam insulation can plug these small holes. The spray foam insulation accomplishes this task by expanding into the small gaps onto which it has been sprayed.
However, to be effective it may be helpful to understand where these small holes may occur. One often thinks of the spaces near a door or window when thinking about the possible locations where currents may arise. However, there may be other locations which are not as apparent. These other locations are usually less apparent because they are found within the attic, basement or crawlspace.
Indeed, almost any structure which acts as a passageway or opening can be a source of tiny currents. Besides the case of doors and windows, the Energy Star website provides a PDF file which lists eight places where air may leak from the warm interior of a home.
Holes used for wiring and pipes are examples of common locations through which currents may pass. The remaining six places associated with leakage include knee walls (a small wall usually under a meter in height), the access or doorway to the attic, recessed lighting and the box in which it is contained, the furnace flue and the passage ways containing air ducts and the boundary occurring between the home's wood frames and foundation.
As mentioned earlier, spray foam insulation can fill small holes. However, care must be taken in its application. To be more specific, it should not be used at some of the areas listed above. For example, expanding spray foam insulation should not be used on doors or windows because it may damage these items as it expands. Additionally, it should not be used anywhere at which it is at risk of combusting. For example, it should not be used near the flue or near wiring.
Filling small holes and gaps reduces heating and cooling costs by lowering the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a home. Often this energy comes from sources which emit greenhouse gases. Therefore, as an additional benefit, preventing air leakage with spray foam insulation can help protect the environment.
When applied safely by a professional, spray foam insulation can substantially reduce heating and cooling costs, as well as to help protect the environment, by filling small gaps, holes and cracks through which air may be exchanged between the interior and exterior of a home.
This kind of insulation offers multiple features for the environmentally (and economically) aware. Spray foam is a green, cost effective and safe material to install in your home or business.
Spray foam is made from agriculturally based materials that are naturally occurring. It also contains one of the highest levels of reusable materials, making it environmentally friendly even when you're ready to dispose of it.
Energy efficiency is another attractive feature. Because of the nature of the materials and the means of application, the spray foam creates an air tight seal between the walls. This translates to heating and cooling savings for your home or business. When applied, the insulator fills every nook and cranny, keeping the elements where they belong - outside.
Not only does it save you money on the monthly bills, it can save you up to $500 dollars at tax time. Of course, there are certain requirements, including the quality of the foam, warranties and documentation by the manufacturer, but when you consider to those tax savings, getting the paperwork isn't such a big deal.
Yet another way you can save with this type of insulator is on installation itself. It's so simple to apply, that you can rent equipment and do it yourself. Even if you hire out, the application is relatively quick and easy, saving the contractor time on the job.
One of the most important features about the spray foam insulation is how household safe it is. Because of the composition of the materials, it provides no nutritional value to rodents or vermin, nor does it allow or support mold growth. Beyond that, your insulation can function as an effective part of a fire prevention system.
The foam is fire resistant. When combined with proper alarm devices and safety plans, it can contribute to the safety of your building and whoever's inside. The material's been tested in industry standard fire trials, and stands up better than most to sustained fires. It just doesn't catch fire like some materials can. That definitely brings peace of mind.
Whether you're remodeling or starting fresh, spray foam insulation is a wise choice for your insulating needs. It's environmentally friendly, and lends itself easily to the big job of making existing structures green. It's a money saver on both monthly bills and tax time. And finally, it protects your structure from nasty things like mold and vermin, while offering a moderate level of fire safety (when combined with an appropriate monitoring and safety system).
Going green in the 21st century shouldn't be a hassle. With spray foam insulation, you can turn your home or business into an eco-friendly site. The savings you get from the energy efficiency and quick application makes this a wise choice to suit your building needs.
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