September 10, 2020
For southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire homeowners struggling with rising heating and cooling costs, spray foam insulation and air sealing upgrades in your home can make a real difference. While energy savings are one of the benefits of spray foam insulation, there are many others, including higher home comfort, steady indoor temperatures throughout your home, and even improvements to your indoor air quality.
But what is spray foam insulation exactly, and how does it work?
What Is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is a chemical product, and it differs from other kinds of insulation in a few different ways. Spray foam is not only a superior insulating material, but it also acts as an air and moisture barrier. Spray foam can be used both for insulation and for air sealing, which go hand in hand towards reducing your home’s energy waste and preventing unwanted outdoor air and temperatures from infiltrating your home. Spray foam is often used for:
Spray foam is created by mixing two chemicals, isocyanate and polyol resin. There are a few different kinds of spray foam, including open cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam (closed cell is more rigid, and has a higher R-value) as well as injection foam. At Vermont Foam Insulation, we use Demilec spray foam products, including a number of environmentally friendly spray foam options.
How Is Spray Foam Insulation Installed?
Spray foam is literally sprayed out of a hose to cover the area to be insulated. The two chemicals mentioned above are mixed in the spraying process, and as the spray foam is applied it expands (closed cell spray foam, for example, expands substantially) and hardens into place. One of the specific benefits of spray foam insulation is that it creates an effectively continuous protection barrier, expanding into every nook and cranny for 100% coverage.
Spray foam insulation contractors need to be highly trained to properly install foam insulation, and because there are significant health risks while the foam is drying, installers wear advanced safety equipment. You’ll need to be out of your home for a day or two after installation to avoid harmful off-gassing chemicals, but once the curing process is complete, your home’s insulation will be transformed.
Qualify for Significant Spray Foam Insulation Rebates with Vermont Foam Insulation
While spray foam insulation can be more expensive than other insulation types, the level of protection you’ll receive is unparalleled, and you’ll see month after month of heating and cooling savings as a result of upgrading. Plus, insulation rebates from Efficiency Vermont and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR can make upgrading your home even more affordable. Qualified homeowners can save thousands of dollars—up to $5,500—in rebates and can benefit from 0% interest financing as well.