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.
If you have Priority Energy assess your home’s energy use first, we’ll deduct the inspection fees from our insulation cost. But more importantly, 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…)
Last Tuesday, President Obama proposed a new energy saving program as part of the plan to boost the economy. This stimulus program, called “Cash for Caulkers” would provide rebates for homeowners making energy efficient weatherproofing improvements to their homes.
An incredibly large percentage of the energy wasted in the US comes from conditioned air in homes leaking out into the atmosphere. The specific improvements allowed are not clear yet, but it will be mainly pertaining to creating a seal to reduce wasteful airflow, including services like replacing windows, replacing old insulation or adding foam insulation, and caulking the cracks that lead to air leakage.
The legislation also known as Home Star is still being written, but it is expected that homeowners can get a 50% rebate for making their homes more energy efficient up to $12,000. (more…)
As announced in September in the Tribune, Chicago has become first place out of US cities for energy efficient building construction. In a report by the U.S. Green Building Council, Chicago beat the second place contender Portland, Oregon by 20% and third place Seattle by 40%. The ratings come from the number of buildings with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. According to the Green Building Council, Chicago has 88 projects that are LEED certified.
Becoming the country’s leading city by building more energy efficient projects has been one of Mayor Richard Daley’s main goals. Every new public building in the city must achieve LEED certification. Also, any building that receives city funding must have a green roof or become green building certified. This is a great step, but there is some criticism that not all LEED-rated buildings live up to the name. (more…)
The Citizens Utility Board in Chicago announced some important news about new federal tax credits for homeowners. The tax credits increased this year for homeowners who make energy efficient or renewable energy upgrades to their homes. Energy efficient foam insulation is one of the products that can help you to qualify, and since most of our clients are making other energy-conscious improvements as well, we would like to let you know how to take full advantage of these new tax credits. There are several types of tax credits for homeowners, so we will walk you through each one. (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 
Last Tuesday, President Obama proposed a new energy saving program as part of the plan to boost the economy. This stimulus program, called “Cash for Caulkers” would provide rebates for homeowners making energy efficient weatherproofing improvements to their homes.
As announced in September in the Tribune, Chicago has become first place out of US cities for energy efficient building construction. In a report by the U.S. Green Building Council, Chicago beat the second place contender Portland, Oregon by 20% and third place Seattle by 40%. The ratings come from the number of buildings with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. According to the Green Building Council, Chicago has 88 projects that are LEED certified.
The Citizens Utility Board in Chicago announced some important news about new federal tax credits for homeowners. The tax credits increased this year for homeowners who make energy efficient or renewable energy upgrades to their homes. Energy efficient foam insulation is one of the products that can help you to qualify, and since most of our clients are making other energy-conscious improvements as well, we would like to let you know how to take full advantage of these new tax credits. There are several types of tax credits for homeowners, so we will walk you through each one. 
