NORTHWEST HOUSTON Blog

How Does Spray Foam Insulation Affect a Home's Energy Cost

Air sealing and insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to curb your energy costs. 25-40% of a home’s cooling/heating energy comes from air leaks around the house. Sealing all these leaks WILL make a difference. 

Spray foam insulation does a good job of accomplishing that airtight seal, which makes spray foam a nifty energy-saver. 

In this article, we talk about how spray foam insulation affects a home’s energy cost. 

Spray foam seals air leaks

Energystar.gov has determined different common air leaks in a house, with the biggest leaks found in the attic and crawl spaces. These passages of air allow heat entry/escape, putting a strain on your cooling/heating systems and causing other problems when a house has poor insulation. 

One-component spray foam is available in cans and can be applied to seal air leaks in attic hatches, chimney framings, furnace flues, around recessed lights, wiring, electrical outlets, windows, doors, and plumbing vents.

For large-scale air sealing, two-component spray foam insulation (which is installed by trained spray foam insulation experts) is applied in attic joists, open studs and walls, and floors.

Sealing air leaks is the first step for achieving high energy efficiency. The next step is insulating the attic and walls.

Spray foam reduces heat loss in a home

The most amount of heat loss in a house transpires in the attic and the walls. Spray foam insulation has a low thermal conductivity, making it an effective thermal shield for your attic space and walls. 

Spray foam is ideal for unfinished spaces like open walls and joists but it can also be applied to existing walls. Injection spray foam is done by stripping a part of the drywall and drilling a hole where the hose is injected.

Spray foam has two kinds depending on your preference and your building’s needs.

Closed cell spray foam

This type of spray foam is composed of tightly-packed cells, making it sturdy, water- and air- resistant. It acts as a vapor barrier and is moisture repellent. This is an ideal choice if you live in a flood-prone area.

Due to its strength, closed cell spray foam also helps strengthen structures.

Closed cell spray foam has an average R-value of 6.9 per inch.

Open cell spray foam

Open cell spray foam is less costly compared to closed cell spray foam. Although it doesn’t provide as much insulation as its counterpart, it is optimal for soundproofing rooms.

Less dense than closed cell foam, open cell expands largely once applied. It has wider coverage than closed foam and can insulate areas where closed foam can’t reach.

Open cell spray foam has an average R-value of 3.7 per inch.

Long-term energy savings

To prevent extra money leaking out for your energy bills, “enveloping” your home is the solution. This is where spray foam comes and saves the day. If you live in Houston, insulating your home with spray foam insulation will save you an average of 9% of your cooling and heating costs or 6% off your total energy bills.

Although considered more expensive than its counterparts, spray foam lasts as long as your house, outlasting its insulation alternatives. If your priority is long-term energy savings and optimal air sealing and insulation, then spray foam will be worth it.

Choosing spray foam insulation is an investment in the long run. To learn more about spray foam, read our other blog posts! Better yet, set up a free evaluation with our insulation consultant!  Book our free insulation evaluation today!