Energy Saving Solutions for Your Home

Posted by Energy Audit, Uncategorized Comments Off   Jul 06, 2012 @ 09:07

Energy Saving Solutions for Your Home Energy Saving Solutions for Your HomeConsidering the hubbub that has been going around on greenhouse gases and unemployment, it is easy to see why being energy efficient is all the rage these days. At first, when we think about it, it is hard to see just where we can cut back. It is seemingly impossible to live without electricity since nearly everything we do happens to involve electricity in some way. But with a few simple tricks, it is quite easy to do nowadays.

In the beginning, it is hard to imagine living without any of our home electrical appliances. But there is actually a replacement for most of them out there in the market. They will all do pretty much the same thing and utilize less energy in the process. Some examples of this would be using CFL lamps instead of the typical light bulbs; LEDs are great too, in some cases. It is estimated that changing all the lights in a home with these can reduce energy consumption by 50% to 75%. Looking for a considerably more power efficient refrigerator is a great idea as well, since it is by far the biggest energy consumer of our homes.

The biggest energy saving method, however, is having proper insulation. Applying a good layer of spray foam on leaky areas, such as the attic, can start saving us money right away and the nice thing about this is that spray foam is so easy. Most people can even use the do-it-yourself version of spray foams. Having good insulation can easily lower the bills by 20% every month on its own. Consider the money that is saved over a year and it is easy to understand why you should try it. Another great thing about insulation is that we do not need to spend that much money on it, because it would keep working for us for decades to come. We also don’t have to buy new appliances.

Most of us wonder about saving money on our electric bills. With these tips, you can surely cut back on your spending. Saving energy is still important since it is not just about money anymore. By saving energy, we end up saving the planet.


Closed Cell Foam Insulation vs Open Cell Foam Insulation Closed Cell Foam Insulation vs Open Cell Foam Insulation

Home insulation is sought by home owners today as a number#1 home renovation project. It is the best way to reduce the money spent on home maintenance monthly. Spray foam has a successful track record and many seek to install it for lifelong benefits.

Spray foam is not only known as an insulation that stops the flow of electricity. Spray foam is popular for many other benefits it affords along with energy saving. For starters spray foam makes the house extremely sturdy to face any sort of climatic challenges. Its coating also makes your home water proof, pest free, dust free and fire resistant. Your home is set free of any molds and mildew that could creep in. Also getting spray foam installed in your house fetches you a good amount when you plan to resell your house.

All the above mentioned reasons seem to be quite tempting to get spray foam installed at your place. But have you considered which form of spray foam is ideal for your house. Let’s see the type of spray foams you can choose.

There are basically two types of spray foams available in the market – Open Cell Foam Insulation and Closed Cell Foam Insulation. The difference between the two is their physical make up and the R-value they provide. These factors make a very significant difference to the product performance, application processes and consumer cost.
Open Cell Foam is .05 lb. /cu. ft. It consists of small cells that are not completely closed. The cells are open with air fills in them. As they are loosely bound to each other due to the air pockets the structure is weak. Also they are less water resistant when compared to closed cell foam.

On the other hand closed spray foam insulation is also made of small cells like open spray foam but they are closely bound to each other with no air gaps to make the bond loose. The cells are not filled in with air but with gas that makes the foam rise and expand. This means that the foam is dense, completely water proof and sturdy too.

In order to measure the density of the spray foam you will have to weigh one cured cubic foot of foam material. The open cell foam weighs around 0.4 to 0.5 lb. /cu. ft. whereas closed cell foam has a density of 1.7 lb. /cu. ft. to 2.0 lb. /cu. ft. If you are planning for the insulation of your roof then you need to select a spray foam that gives better support and is sturdy itself. A spray foam with good density promises stronger support.

If we compare the R-value of both the types, open cell spray foam has an R-value of 3.5 per inch and closed-cell spray foams insulation on an average has an R-value of around 7.0 per inch. Open spray foam requires water as a blowing agent on the other hand close cell spray foam needs high R-value blowing agents.

Closed cell spray foam emerges as a popular choice as it is more efficient due to its denser make. It provides higher structural integrity that supports the foundation and allows complete sealing. Also its R-value is higher and gives a strong evidence of insulation ability. They are more efficient at reducing air leaks and prevent water/ moisture infiltration. So they form a better insulation option.

EcoStarFoam.com is a leading service provider for spray foam insulation. Our team of professionals use durable spray foam of various well known brands to cover every cavity in your house and make your home energy efficient. Our service is well known in New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding area. (504) 383 – 3261


Cut Your Energy Expenses

Posted by Energy Audit, Green Tips Comments Off   Apr 19, 2010 @ 02:04

Cut Your Energy Expenses 300x150 Cut Your Energy Expenses

Spray foam is one of the most effective and greenest insulators presently available. Energy saving is one of the primary environmental benefits of spray foam insulation it lowers your energy bills while concurrently contributing to the environment. Spray foam insulation keeps your home and office warm during cold months, and keeps it cool when it becomes hot cuttings down energy requirement by 20-40%. The amount of energy saved in your home and business is remarkable so by insulating your home with this energy-efficient material, you are using less energy and save your hard earned money.

Spray foam insulation initially cost more than traditional fiberglass or cellulose insulation as it can only be applied by professionals but energy it  saves  will eventually pay for itself also there are additional tax benefits available for owners who are able to document their green efforts. Buildings with spray foam insulation also sell at higher prices thus adding value to your property so your environmental concern will also prove to be an investment for the future.