Spray Foam Insulation: Improves Home Performance
“Energy costs will rise, I don’t think there is any question about that,” says George Breiwa of ZipCoat, LLC. “With each passing year, the only way to contain those rising costs is to become more energy efficient. Of all of the home improvement products that will increase energy efficiency, closed cell spray foam insulation is the most cost effective option for homeowners whether they are building a new home or updating an existing home.”
Spray foam insulation represents the best kind of home improvement because it can pay for itself through energy savings. For example, an average 2,400 square foot home may cost an additional $1,500 to upgrade to spray foam insulation; the savings in energy will typically pay for the difference in as little as 3 years. For a new home, the difference in the cost of spray foam compared to traditional insulation is roughly one percent of the cost of your home.
Tax Credits: No Time Like The Present
Home improvement tax credits are currently available for home improvements “placed in service” in 2009 as long as they meet 2009 IECC & Amendments. The credit is for 30% of project cost, up to $1,500. Spray foam meets all tax credit requirements.
According to Breiwa, spray foam insulation has the greatest impact on energy usage for the following applications including:
- Exterior walls, where there is limited space to insulate
- Crawl spaces, where traditional insulation sags and mice nest
- Box sills, where the wood meets the concrete and where the insects and rodents enter your home
- Cathedral ceilings
- Foundation / basement walls
The bottom line is that Spray foam insulation provides the best return on a homeowner’s investment.
When it comes to remodeling and/or retro-fitting a home, spray foam insulation allows homeowners who have older homes to update and upgrade their insulation. This insulation meets or surpasses present building code requirements relative to energy efficiency.
