Here are EcoTec, we love hearing from our customers. In fact, we were thrilled to pieces when we recently saw that a customer had posted about his experiences with spray foam insulation on the Chicago Duplex-Down Rehab blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
Its [spray foam insulation] more expensive that normal fiberglass insulation, but FAR superior, and installed very quickly. Its really amazing how it covers every nook and cranny. They even did the ceiling which will eliminate the noise from 2nd floor.
He even compares it to that scene with the Stay Puft Marshallow Man in Ghostbusters! The fact that spray foam insulation blocks sound and fits into teeny tiny spaces is awesome (not to mention all the marshmallow comparisons), but wait’ll he sees the impact it will have on his energy bill!
In San Antonio, Texas, CPS Energy is taking a closer look at energy efficiency in three homes with identical floor plans but varied degrees of efficiency.
The company had the three homes built and sold them with the understanding that the owner’s energy use would be carefully monitored for research purposes. The control home was designed to the builder’s usual standards, the second one was given high-efficiency appliances, more efficient heating and cooling systems, and better insulation. The third home had the same features as the second home, plus solar roof tiles and spray foam insulation in the walls and attic.
Though the study is just over halfway complete, the U.S. Energy Department is reportedly keeping an eye on the findings, among them the fact that spray foam insulation was found to be more efficient than fiberglass because it effectively seals the home’s “thermal envelope” by filling in small cracks in the home.
In fact, the home with solar panels and spray foam insulation was found to have 70% fewer air changes per hour than the control home. The second home, which had a combination of foam and fiberglass insulation had 40% fewer. In the past, homeowners had used fiberglass batting with a minimum of a 6-inch thickness, but this was often very expensive and didn’t significantly cut air flow.
The utility company already offers a rebate program for existing homes that use spray foam insulation (federal tax incentives are also available), and now they say they have the numbers to back it up. The numbers are reportedly in line with federal guidelines.
Findings form the study will help the utility company create incentive programs for builders and residents. The company hopes to conserve 771 megawatts of power by 2020, which would eliminate the need to build an additional power plant.
Schaumburg, Illinois has won a $100,000 cash prize for besting eight other Chicago suburbs in ComEd’s Community Energy Challenge, which ended on May 31. Over the course of the year-long energy-reduction competition, the town saved 6.8 million kilowatt-hours of energy and also reduced its water consumption by 900,000 gallons, according to village officials.
The nine participating communities collectively saved about 34.9 million kilowatt-hours of energy, which is equivalent to the energy used by 2,000 homes in a year. In addition, their efforts reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 25,541 metric tons, which is like taking almost five thousand cars off the road for a year.
Schaumburg installed more-efficient lights at its three fire stations, the public safety building, and the Prairie Center for the Arts. They used motion-sensor lights where possible, light-emitting diode lights were used at some traffic signals. Village facilities and the local library had free energy audits conducted, and local schools also participated in the energy reduction campaign.
The village has not yet determined how it will use the $100,000 cash prize, but they do plan to finish current energy-savings projects. A bike path near Irving Park Road and the commuter station is also planned, but that may come out of other funding sources.
Other suburbs made significant energy strides during the contest. For instance, Oak Park saved 1.5 million kilowatt-hours using similar strategies like motion-sensor lighting and a reduction in the number of bulbs on at once. The village also saved 50 million gallons of water thanks to water valve replacement and leak repair. Rush Oak Park Hospital was major part of the energy conservation efforts, saving $1.2 million in electricity over the course of the year. Local grade schools also got involved with a contest to collect the most wrappers from energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Many of the villages that participated in the contest say the contest inspired them to make simple changes that they hope to continue in the future.
Building a net zero energy home that can stand up to harsh New England winters is no easy task, but George Keithan, founder and president of Consulting Engineering Services in Middletown, CT wouldn’t settle for anything less. The result is a 3,600 square foot New England Farm House Style home that was completed in November of last year, becoming Connecticut’s first net zero home.
George and his wife Mary used a “whole-house” system of energy efficient technologies, including Icynene spray foam insulation, to design a house that uses no fossil fuels for heating and hot water, no net electrical usage from the utility company, and no emissions from fuel burning equipment.
In order to achieve their lofty energy goals, the Keithans needed to create a super-insulated envelope. They used ICYNENE LD-R-50 spray foam insulation along with a double-staggered stud system. The spray foam insulation was applied to the barn loft, chicken coop walls, exterior walls, interior basement walls, and the attic. Keithan said he chose Icynene because of its high R-value, sound attenuation, and moisture controlling abilities.
Elsewhere, this charming home uses LED light fixtures and low or no VOC paint. Countertops were recycled from older homes. The slate on the windowsills was also recycled.
This combination of sustainable materials and energy efficient technologies has earned the home LEED Platinum certification, which is the highest level. It also received the AEE Energy Award and will be featured in an upcoming CBS National News Weekend Edition Report. As a model of what’s possible in environmentally conscious building and design, the house also serves as a trade show facility to educate home owners and designers.
We’re pleased that Icynene was part of this innovative project, and we look forward to seeing more houses like this in the future.
Many people who install insulation do so for the environmental benefits (namely the reduction in energy use). Ironically, some insulation materials use blowing agents that can actually cause greenhouse gas emissions, thus negating some of the positive environmental impact. A recent article on BuildingGreen.com discusses how to avoid the global warming impact of insulation.
In it, the author explains Global Warming Potential (GWP for short). The higher the GWP, the more potent the emissions. So, an insulation that has a GWP of 1,200 is 1,200 times as more potent a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide. An insulation with a high GWP would need to save a high volume of energy (also dependent on where the building is located and how efficient the heating system is) over a long period of time to negate that harmful impact. In some cases, it could take decades or even longer!
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) is another issue that applies to the Chlorofluerocarbons (CFC) that were used until the mid-1990′s. Scientists later developed Hydrocholorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), but those were also phased out due to their high ODP. Third-generation blowing agents like Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are used in many polyurethane spray foam applications nowadays, are an environmental concern due to their high GWP.
However, there are other insulation options with a much lower GWP. Icynene products have a GWP of 1 and an ODP of zero, thanks to its 100% water-blown solutions. Icynene uses no HFCs. Instead, water reacts with the A component, creating millions of tiny cells that form an air barrier material and insulate buildings. The company that manufactures Icynene is committed to safety, so their products are nonflammable and have a low toxicity. That means greater safety for the customer, the installer, and the environment.
After passing by 246-161 votes in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, the HOMESTAR Energy Retrofit Act (also called “Cash for Caulkers”) now heads to the Senate. If the Senate passes “Cash for Caulkers,” it would provide rebates of up to $1,500 per project for the installation of energy-saving products, including insulation, duct sealing, heat pumps, and other appliances.
The bill provides two options to consumers. The SILVER STAR prescriptive path gives homeowners between $1,000 and $1,500 for each measure installed in their home (with a cap of $3,000 per household). The GOLD STAR performance path gives homeowners the incentive to conduct a full energy audit and install technology that’s designed to provide a greater return on investment in energy savings. With this path, consumers would get $3,000 for modeled savings of 20%, plus $1,000 incentives for each additional 5% of modeled energy savings. The total rebate would up to $8,000 (not to exceed 50% of project costs).
Obviously, we’re in favor of the bill, because it means that products like Icynene Foam Insulation would be even more accessible and affordable to homeowners. But it also means that homeowners will save money while improving the energy efficiency of their homes. In addition to the environmental benefits, it would also provide jobs to several thousands of people. According to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune, the program would create over 150,000 jobs, mainly in the construction industry and save homeowners a combined $9.2 billion in energy consumption over the next ten years. An estimated 3 million homeowners would benefit from the program.
As you spruce up your home for spring, this is a great time to conduct an energy audit and ensure that your home is well-insulated for the summer (and beyond). We’ve partnered with Priority Energy™, one of the leading residential and commercial certified energy raters in the Midwest, because we’re confident that you’ll see the benefits of Icynene foam insulation and save money in the process.
Your home energy assessment can help you pinpoint unnecessary costs and show you how to reduce your monthly utility bill. In addition to learning about foam insulation, you’ll pick up other energy-saving tips and gain a complete cost/benefit analysis of all your options as part of the audit.
Among the services included in your home energy assessment are:
A thorough review of your utility bills including seasonal usage (like heating or cooling) and base load (appliances that you use year round)
A detailed analysis of your home’s ductwork to ensure that it’s properly balanced and leak-free
A comprehensive blower door test to determine how much air your home is letting in and out
Testing for unusual amounts of carbon monoxide and oxygen, which could indicate an inefficient water heater or furnace
The use of infrared imaging to identify insulation problems not visible to the naked eye, including missing roof and window insulation
This video from Priority Energy shows how the company uses Flir cameras to pinpoint areas that lack of proper insulation:
An Energy Star Partner and a BPI Training Affiliate, Priority Energy is also a certified RESNET Rater Training provider. We’re happy be partnering with Priority Energy, as we know it will create greater awareness about Icynene and help homeowners make smart energy choices.
Smart Home Exterior Demonstrating Icynene Spray Foam Insulation
The Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago re-opened in March, and this time they’re using Icynene insulation. The fully-functioning, prefabricated modular home was designed to show museum visitors how style and function can come together in one chic, eco-friendly package.
With décor by Midwest Living’s senior home editor and green technology from WIRED magazine, the home is powered by a wind turbine in the park and solar film on the roof. It also uses organic or repurposed materials, sustainable landscape techniques like raised bed planting and cistern watering, energy monitoring systems, and other features to ensure that the house runs efficiently.
Smart Home 2nd Floor Nook with Icynene Insulation
Every aspect of The Smart Home, from the zero-VOC paint to the recycle steel furniture, represents a commitment to environmental practices. There’s even a biodiesel unit that converts regular cooking oil into usable auto fuel!
We’re thrilled to see Icynene as part of this project, because it educates visitors on sustainability and shows Icynene insulation in action. We think Icynene makes sense for new homes and offices or renovations, because it reduces excess noise pollution from insides and outside and improves the air quality of the space.
Icynene is also light-weight and versatile enough to use in ceilings, attics, garages, even in tight areas that conventional insulation can’t reach. Thanks to the energy savings, customers experience a higher return on investment as compared to traditional insulation, too.
As The Smart Home shows, elements like Icynene insulation can help homeowners shrink their carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort or style. Our hope is that projects like this will raise the visibility of Icynene and inspire others to choose eco-friendly insulation for their home or office building.
The Smart Home exhibit runs March 4, 2010 through January 9, 2011 at the Museum of Science and Industry. The Museum recommends buying timed tour tickets in advance.
Photos by J.B. Spector, Museum of Science and Industry
Last December at a Virginia Home Depot location, President Obama gave a speech on the need for energy efficient home insulation. This was all part of his push for Congress to provide more tax breaks and incentives to homeowners renovating their homes to be more energy efficient. During his speech, President Obama went so far as to say that “home insulation is sexy” – something we’d have to agree with.
Here is a snippet of the original speech:
And here is Homestar Runner’s techno remix. We thought it was funny enough and worth sharing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/misssage/ / CC BY 2.0
Ice dams are a common problem that form on buildings in areas that receive significant snowfall. It causes significant ice and icicle build-up on the edge of the roof which could cause water leakage and dangerous ice conditions in the case of falling icicles. Ice dams can occur on any building where temperatures reach below freezing for at least one full month per year, but are less likely to occur in very cold climates. There are many ways for ice dams to form, but in general, they are caused by snow melting on the upper part of the roof then refreezing near the edge to create an icy buildup and icicles.
Icicles may be pretty to look at but they can be extremely dangerous for passerby, especially if near or above common walking areas such as sidewalks or above doors.
There are several causes of ice dams, including:
Lack of sufficient insulation
Air leakage in proximity to the roof membrane
An uninsulated heat source near the roof
A difference in snow thickness along the roof
In all three of these cases, the snow on the roof acts as a thermal insulator. This causes the temperature close to to the roof to increase, thereby melting the snow. As this melted water runs down the roof, it accumulates at the edge of the roof where it refreezes due to cold air currents and the lack of insulation. (more…)
Many people who install insulation do so for the environmental benefits (namely the reduction in energy use). Ironically, some insulation materials use blowing agents that can actually 
After passing by 246-161 votes in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, the HOMESTAR Energy Retrofit Act (also called 
