Energy prices in Connecticut are among the highest in the nation. Fortunately, homeowners in the Nutmeg State and across the country, you can beat the heat at home and in their wallets with spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation.
“Spray foam insulation can make your home more comfortable by reducing air leaks and energy consumption, which is good for the environment,” said Brian West, Director of Marketing at Direct Energy, based in New London, Connecticut.
According to the Connecticut Energy Commission, heating and cooling accounts for 45 percent of the average energy bill for Connecticut households. SPF insulation helps keep outside air from entering the home and prevents loss of conditioned indoor air by sealing cracks, seams and joints. Energy savings from SPF can be significant.
An estimated 10 percent of Connecticut’s newly constructed single-family homes in 2016 were insulated with SPF. These SPF-insulated homes help reduce CO2 emissions and are expected to remove greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those emitted by 2,700 cars. The annual estimated electricity savings add up to $3.3 million. SPF will also play a key role in Connecticut’s goal of zero net energy consumption for all new homes beginning in 2020.
SPF insulation can provide additional benefits:
- SPF can help reduce mold and mildew growth;
- SPF seals cracks and helps keep pollen and dust outside, reducing allergens;
- As a roofing material on low-sloped or flat surfaces, SPF creates a seamless air and weather barrier, which is critical beneath roof-mounted solar panels; and
- Cool-roof coatings can also be easily applied over SPF roofs.
Installing SPF to insulate and air-seal attics, crawl spaces and basements is not a do-it-yourself project. Consumers should work with a professional SPF installer.
What to do if your insulation gets wet
Homeowners and building professionals struggle with moisture, leaks, and water damage to homes, particularly to insulation. Homeowners need to learn about the proper procedures to follow when the inevitable happens and they spring a leak.
CT Retrofit, a professional insulating service company of the New London area, addressed the question of “What to do when insulation gets wet?” CT Retrofit discussed the five types of the most commonly used insulation: spray foam, attic, crawlspace, cellulose, and foam board.
As a crawl space and insulating company, CT Retrofit is very familiar with all five types, and has extensive experience installing and monitoring the success of each of these forms of insulation.
“The proper procedure to follow will vary dramatically according to the type of insulation used, so there is no blanket answer to the question of how to handle wet insulation. Some insulation will have to be entirely removed and disposed of. Other insulation, like closed-cell spray foam insulation will simply need to be wiped down with a towel or be left alone to let the moisture evaporate from the surface,” CT Retrofit stated.
The article reminds homeowners that, if there’s a problem with moisture buildup or flooding in an area of the home, whether condensation, a leak, or otherwise, it is important to take a look at the insulation in that area.
“Unaddressed dampened insulation is the highway for mold, mildew, and will eventually cause severe damage to the home, both structurally and in its air quality. Awareness and proper prevention can keep these serious and very expensive issues at bay,” noted CT Retrofit.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/3XXGbxkULjk
Media Contact
Company Name: CT Retrofit
Contact Person: Steven Michael
Email: Send Email
Phone: 860.238.3112
Address:107 Montauk Avenue Rd
City: New London
State: Connecticut
Country: United States
Website: https://ctretrofit.com/