There’s a lot to consider when you are building your dream home. You’ll spend time deciding on paint colors, floors, cabinets, and other materials that make your house uniquely yours. But don’t overlook the importance of choosing the right insulation. Without it, you’ll end up spending a fortune in energy bills as the air in your home leaks out and hot or cold outside air breezes in. With spray foam insulation, you can keep the outside heat or cool air out, cutting your energy costs and saving money over time.
While all types of spray foam insulation help lower energy bills, spray foam is the most effective at it, delivering a R-value of 6.5 per inch of thickness. It’s also air-sealed, meaning it keeps the conditioned indoor air you pay for in your home and prevents stale outdoor air from blowing inside. The difference in your energy bill will be significant and easily justify the cost of spray foam.
Is Spray Foam Worth It? Comparing Costs and Long-Term Benefits
The downside to spray foam is its environmental impact. The petroleum-based blowing agent used in older products has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating, meaning it is a contributing factor to climate change when released into the atmosphere. Modern spray foam uses low-GWP hydrofluoroolefins and meets stringent safety standards, reducing its environmental and health risks.
Another concern with spray foam is its tendency to cause roof damage when improperly installed. Certain types of spray foam, such as closed-cell, will expand and contract with changing temperatures, causing damage to roofs over time. The risk of damaging roofs is so great that many lenders will not mortgage homes with this type of insulation in place. This issue can be resolved with the proper installation of open-cell spray foam, which will not expand or shrink.
Energy Solutions
268 Industrial DR, Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 651-9284
