Have you ever considered going green? Many companies have opted to go green for the incentives from the federal government. These incentives all boil down to one simple bonus: money. The government doesn’t only offer money to businesses for going green, however. There are several programs in place to reimburse you for money spent on weatherizing your home. The federal government isn’t the only body of power to offer money back either. State and local governments also offer incentives for going green in your own home.

Spray foam insulation is installed in a process that does not harm the environment. When applied, spray foam expands rapidly and creates a powerful seal that is unmatched by conventional insulation methods. With such a strong seal, cool air is kept inside longer, meaning that your air conditioner will run less often. Most homes stand to increase efficiency in this fashion by 30%-40%. Such a large increase in efficiency can slash your energy bills, sometimes by half or more.

An energy audit by Star Spray Foam Systems will tell you what areas of your home are losing the most air and how to improve those areas. How much you stand to increase efficiency, and even an estimate of how much you may be able to save each month on your energy bill, are also included in the summary. These numbers are accurate depictions made by professionals in the field of building science. In Louisiana, with this audit, and installation of the spray foam, most homes qualify for a local bonus of $2,000 through the HERO program, in addition to the state and federal programs. Star Spray Foam Systems will even handle all of the paperwork for your rebates.

According to the Department of Energy, the average savings per year from weatherizing your home are almost $1,000. With $1,000 saved per year, $2,000 more from HERO, and a few variable amounts back from the federal government, your bank account will start to look a little greener as well. So if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, or just save a lot of money every month, spray foam insulation is the best first step.

Many people think that when they buy a new home, it is state of the art construction. In reality, most homes built in the past ten years, and even homes under construction now, are using outdated insulation methods. If you think your home is above the standard of efficiency, then try an energy audit from Star Spray Foam Systems.

An energy audit will provide you with lots of valuable data. Weak points in ductwork can be pinpointed. Poorly insulated walls and ceilings can be identified. Cracks or holes in the home can be located. Unseen mold and mildew, which can cause serious health problems, can be found as well. All of these issues and more can be easily identified by advanced, professional methods such as depressurization and infrared cameras.

After audits are completed, a summary is made that depicts how much money may be saved monthly with proper insulation. These summaries are accurate findings by professionals certified in building science, not just inflated numbers to influence a purchase.

If you decide to use spray foam insulation in your home, after it is installed, a second energy audit is completed. This will quantify the results of the process in front of your own eyes, before you get your next energy bill. Most people see an average savings of 40-50% a month in their energy bills. Some people will even see a drop as large as 60%.

Spray foam insulation also creates a strong barrier, which helps to keep unwanted pests out. With this protection against infestation, you will not have to pay for expensive exterminator visits. This barrier also protects your home from moisture, which can lead to mold and mildew, and more costly cleanups.

The Department of Energy has found that the average homeowner wastes as much as 40% of the money they spend on heating and cooling because of poor insulation techniques. Those are numbers from a federal agency dedicated to the efficient use of energy. Would it be better to have an energy audit and know for sure your home is efficient, or just chance it, and risk throwing away a lot of money each month? The answer is clear, put your home to the test.

Keeping the heat inside buildings and other types of structures is made possible with the use of spray foam insulation. It is made up of resins and chemicals such as isocyanates and polyurethane. Spray foam insulation is sprayed on a certain surface, and then expands and becomes dry and firm. This type of insulation is usually used by professionals. However, do-it-yourself kits are now available to those who would like to use it.

There are two types of spray foam insulation: the closed cell foam and the open cell foam. These different types of foam can be used for different purposes due to their characteristics. For example, in areas that are filled with water, the closed cell foam is usually used. This is due to the fact that open cell foam absorbs water and therefore cannot produce the desired result. Water resistant foams are generally used for the insulation of swimming pools. Because of its density, closed cell foams are more expensive than open cell foams.

Spray foam insulation is also utilized to patch up gaps and crevices. This is a great way to keep cold and hot air from going inside a structure. The leaking of internal air is also prevented through the use of spray foam insulation.

Insulating the floors and ceilings of one’s house can reduce energy costs. The optimal temperature within the house is maintained and relative humidity is also decreased. Spray foam insulation can help prevent floorboards from warping. Since air leaks are very common in attics, using spray foam insulation can help insulate the attic properly. This even helps to reduce energy costs. Filling in cracks using the spray foam insulation is also a great way to keep bugs from getting inside houses.

Finally, noise can also be taken care of using spray foam insulation. Noise usually finds itself inside the home because of the empty gaps in the walls. Poor insulation in ceilings, walls, and floors can also result in sound leakage from other parts of the house. Using spray foam insulation can help in the reduction of noise and allows you to have a better, quieter atmosphere in various parts of the house.

Home weatherization is becoming the next big thing when it comes to green technologies. This practice involves optimizing the home to protect the interior from outside elements and basically reduce overall energy consumption. By properly sealing your home, you are able to maximize comfort.

Having a good insulation at home can help you reduce your electricity bills mainly because this can optimize your home that you will no longer or rarely need to rely on heaters or air conditioning units. A properly insulated home can be warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer.

Basically, home weatherization improves the building’s insulation by fixing cracks and plugging holes that disrupt proper air flow in a room or home. According to the US Department of Energy, an average American home has half a mile of cracks on it. Through proper weatherization, you will be able to reduce your heating cost by up to 32%.

Weatherization Techniques
There are a lot of things that you can do in order to optimize the insulation and air flow of your home. But the most important thing to do first is to find the cause of your problem which is air tightness. You can check how air tight your home is by lighting an incense stick near your doors, windows, electrical boxes, outlets, plumbing fixtures, hatches, and other locations where air can leak to the outside. Once you have identified the problem, you can now start fixing it.

There are different methods of home weatherization. This includes caulking cracks, installing rubber gaskets, replacing or upgrading your windows, and foaming gaps. The problem with this, however, is that if miss something, you do it wrong. If that happens, then you’ll end up with a bigger problem than you began with. That being said, it is always better to get a professional to look at your home and fix your insulation problems.

Professional Help
Hiring professional home weatherization specialists may require you to pay a bit more than doing it yourself. However, they will be able to do a better job overall. Not only will they identify and solve a problem, they will also conduct complete diagnostics in order to find the real cause of the problem. They can do everything in order to properly optimize a home’s performance. And they do this through a three-step process.

1. Identifying the source of the problem
2. Sealing air leaks
3. Insulating the home

What makes their work far better is that they have the knowledge, experience, and the right tools to get the job done in a more efficient manner. Yes, the cost may be higher but the return is better as well. You’ll get to save more money on heating and electricity. On top of that, the Federal government and other state governments encourage home owners to be more efficient. Incentives and other rewards are given to homeowners who spend on energy efficient improvements. With home weatherization, you can enjoy these rewards and benefits in its entirety.

Star Spray Foam Insulation is locally owned and operated by Brad Harris. Our Office is located in New Orleans and operates in the Gulf South region to include Biloxi to Venice. Baton Rouge to Houma. Brad Harris has been a residential builder since 1996 and has a complete understanding of Residential and Commercial business and considers the most efficient and effective means of accomplishing the job under any circumstances.