From spring to fall, outdoor allergies can be a pain. Itchy, burning eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath can impair many facets of our daily lives. If you are tired of having your outdoor allergies follow you inside, then it is time to consider having spray foam insulation applied in your home. Enjoy the air you’re in, and sleep better in a home with fewer irritants.

Spray foam insulation expands as it is applied, giving it an advantage over other kinds of insulation. As the foam expands, it creates a tight seal. Thanks to this expansion process, the spray foam is able to get into small cracks and crevices that are not easily covered by traditional insulations, like fiberglass.

The seal created by spray foam insulation blocks unrestricted airflow. Without this free flow of air, pollen, dust, and other debris will not be able to find their way into your home. This creates an environment that is cleaner. People with allergies will especially notice an immediate difference in the air quality when spray foam has been applied.

With airflow restricted to the places inside your home that need them, no cool air is wasted. This means that your air conditioner will run less and keep your home as cool as you want it to be. Because of this, homes that upgrade to spray foam insulation save lots of money on energy costs. Many people see a drop in their energy bill by as much as 50% or more.

Mold is another problem starter. It can cause airborne illness in anyone. Mold is commonly caused by excess moisture sitting in one area for prolonged periods of time. With spray foam insulation, moisture will not collect inside your home.

Vermin and insect infestations create unhealthy air as well. Much the same as mold, roaches can pollute your air and even spread disease. Homes with spray foam insulation are much harder for pests to enter. Additionally, with no still water accumulating in unseen areas of you home, rodents and bugs will have no way of getting water. With no water source, and no nutritional value from the insulation, pests have no reason to nest in your home.

In an effort to reduce our impact as a society on Mother Earth, everyone is going green. From hybrid cars that run on electricity as a primary fuel source to treadmills and bikes that store energy as you use them, to spray foam insulation cutting back energy consumption drastically, everywhere you look, someone is doing something green.

There is no right or wrong way to go green, as long as you keep in mind the three R’s; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. However, there are certainly some green ideas that seem to be head and shoulders above the rest. Spray foam insulation falls into this category. By installing spray foam in your home, you bring down the amount of waste produced from heating and cooling your residence by as much as 40%. You will also see the amount of money you spend on bills fall by as much as 50-60%. Talk about reducing!

When applied, spray foam insulation expands and fills crevices conventional insulation methods simply can’t. This creates a tighter seal, and allows for less air to escape through small cracks. Additionally, spray foam provides a higher rate of temperature change resistance than classic methods such as fiberglass. Basically what this means is that your air conditioner can run less, and actually keep your house cooler than a home with outdated insulation.

Spray foam insulation reduces your energy consumption in one major way, but has many other useful qualities to it as well. With spray foam installed in your home, you also protect your house from unwanted moisture in the air. This excess of water can damage your home in a few ways; by giving mold or mildew a place to thrive, by attracting insects and vermin, or by warping and rotting wood. The seal from spray foam also makes it much harder for insects and vermin to gain entry to your home. With no easy way in, and no water to sustain life, infestations are nearly non-existent.

If you want to go green, and truly reduce the impact you and your family are making on the environment, there is no better place to start than with spray foam insulation.

Insulating your home with spray foam insulation does more than save you lots of money. It is also one of the most green things you can do to keep your local ecosystem in rhythm. Bugs love to crawl into peoples’ homes for safe shelter and food. In doing so, these bugs reduce the amount of food available to their natural predators, such as mice, birds, and fish. With less food available, these creatures inadvertently reduce the amount of food available to predators, such as wild cats, birds of prey, and alligators. The chain doesn’t end there, but you see the idea.

By insulating your home with spray foam, you create a barrier that helps to keep bugs and vermin outside. When applied, the foam expands to roughly ten times its original size. This means spray foam can fill the many small cracks and holes that conventional insulation simply cannot cover. By filling these holes with foam, most insects and vermin are unable to enter your home. Instead, they remain outside, where they naturally belong.

If you are looking for a way to save money in your home, spray foam one of the ways to go. Families who have applied spray foam insulation typically see their energy bill drop 30-50%. Compared to classic insulation methods, such as fiberglass, foam insulation offers much higher temperature resistance. This means a home insulated with spray foam will hold the same amount of cool air for a much longer period of time.

Spray foam insulation drastically cuts back the amount of energy your house needs to use in order to keep cool. By using less energy, you reduce the impact local electric companies have on the environment as well. With the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 still threatening to pollute the waters attached to the gulf, it is important to take action in such a way that we have more resources to use during such major crises. Whether you are doing it for the water, the plants, or the wildlife, weatherizing your home is a huge step in making sure the bayou stays healthy.

Everything that springs from creation is created twice: first in the mind, and then in reality. Just like in building your dream house, you must first imagine it in your mind, and then build it in reality. But foremost in the planning of your house should be the precise and proper insulation of the attic, which is more exposed and therefore more prone to damage. Attic insulation does not simply refer to plugging every leak; it is also about scientifically sealing every nook and cranny of the attic to prevent dissipation of heat, transmission of sound, and conduction of electricity. Likewise, attic insulation means the use of scientifically tested insulating materials for effective insulation.

You can save a lot of energy if your attic is well insulated. We all know that heat flows from warmer areas to cooler areas, thus it flows freely through leaks in the attic. With proper attic insulation, your air-conditioning system would not be taxed as hard, so you can save energy and money.

There are three popular types of attic insulation materials:

1. Foam insulation is the fast growing choice for attic insulation. It can make your attic fire-resistant because it is flame retardant. Likewise, it can easily fit into difficult corners of the attic for easy installation.
2. Fiberglass insulation is the traditional way of insulating your attic. Fiberglass can be very effective for almost 35 years. It is flame retardant and is chemically safe.
3. Cellulose insulation is cost effective and can easily be installed. However, it’s not fire-resistant. Flame-retardant chemicals are mixed with it to make it more resistant to fire.

Many benefits can be derived from proper attic insulation, including safety. Leaks gradually weaken the attic. Without proper care, the structural support of the attic will be compromised, which risks the safety of your entire house. However, with proper insulation, your attic will stand firm against any inclement weather. Moreover, you can save yourself a lot of hard-earned money with proper attic insulation. However, if there are structural defects from the outset, fixing them immediately will save you a lot of headaches.

The State of Louisiana has been facing problems with fresh water since the beginning of the last decade. Applying water-conscious preventive measures including spray foam insulation has never been this timely.

Back in 2001, a U.S. Geological Survey found the water-rich but policy lacking state facing the onset of water shortages, with the public, irrigation system and industrial companies draining the soil for water. Louisiana did not have any laws governing its water resources. Also only a few buildings and households have had energy saving measures and spray foam insulation treatments.

The population has relied heavily on aquifers because of a nagging saltwater intrusion problem, which is not exclusive to Louisiana. The fears became a reality in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina devastated the region and exposed the State’s vulnerability.

Since then the state has passed several bills on water resources and strengthened its environmental policy. At present, every individual and household still needs to fully exert contributions in solving this and related environmental problems. One such act is to ensure more buildings and houses adapt energy-saving solutions such as spray foam insulation and energy auditing.

Another problem is the receding of the Louisiana coastlines especially after Katrina.  The state’s agriculture industry has faced production woes brought on by extreme heat, drought and increased salinity in irrigation water supplies. Louisiana agriculture officials reached out to the USDA and the United States Corps of Engineers to come up with long-term solutions.

For Louisiana citizens, small acts can bring a huge impact. About 36 states are projected to have water woes by 2013. More than ever Americans need preserve the value of fresh potable water.

A few simple water-conscious measures can be done in habit and eventually prevent a nationwide water crisis. 

Every citizen, especially Louisiana, should check their toilets, bathroom, sinks and plumbing for leaks. An estimated 100 gallons a week are lost due to a single leaking toilet. Washing machines and dishwashers should be inspected for stains or drips. Water meters should be check by the hour whether it keeps running even when water is not being used.

Every household should also use water-efficient fixtures. Investing in quality faucets, showers, and toilets can save many from serious water troubles.  These models still deliver the same function but use less water.

When it comes to drinking water, it’s best to drink sustainably. Instead of running the tap, water dispenser, or opening the fridge, one should keep a bottle of water (from the tap, instead of expensive bottled brands) at home, at work, at the gym during water breaks. You prevent dehydration while also not wasting drinking water by keeping a bottle always at hand.

Households also need to insulate pipes to counter water loss caused by burst piping. Pipes running in unheated spaces such as garages, crawlspaces and basement should be checked for possible insulation. Fiberglass and foam insulation sleeves can be used for water pipes and are available in hardware stores.

And undoubtedly one the most effective means to save on utility bills such as electricity and water is applying spray foam insulation treatment in the house. A well-insulated house, protected from molds, moisture, and air leaks, is a house that can keep its water source safe and intact.

To find a great spray foam insulation service, visit www.ecostarfoam.com. You may also call: (504)383-3261.