According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average home spends $1,300/year on energy utility costs.

There is a lot of money being spent on utilities in this country. Utility, by definition, is something that is profitable or beneficial. You would think that people would spend more time making sure their utilities are benefiting them as much as possible. But unfortunately, we more commonly flock to the most conventional method of doing something because we feel like it must be the best. In the case of insulating your home, the only reason fiberglass is popular is because of a shortsighted measurement system and myths that make Spray Foam seem less desirable. The simple truth is that Spray Foam insulation is a superior alternative to fiberglass or any other type of insulation.

What is Spray Foam?

Spray Foam is exactly what it sounds like. Foam is sprayed in between the walls of a house to protect it from outside air and moisture. This foam hardens once inside the house and is a permanent insulator. This method of insulation was first used in the 1940’s with military airplanes, but was soon after implemented in homes. Spray foam insulation can save you up to 50% of the energy that would otherwise be wasted with fiberglass insulation. Spray Foam is also low in harmful chemical which creates a healthier home environment that does not include allergic reactions or irritation (both of which are common with fiberglass insulation).

R-Value

Many people defend fiberglass by claiming it has a high “R-Value”. This can be a true, but misleading statistic that does not reveal the flaws of fiberglass. R-Value measures an insulator’s thermal resistance, and while this is important, it does not account for air flow or moisture. Letting air in where it shouldn’t is how energy gets wasted, and that is something that R-Value does not represent. Spray Foam totally prevents air and moisture from getting in between the walls.

Myths

Some are afraid to try Spray Foam because of rumors they have heard. These accusations are usually false and give people the wrong idea about this type of insulation. One myth is that Spray Foam would have a problem with absorbing moisture. People think of the foam as a soft and malleable substance, so they tend to believe that water could soak into it. The truth is that the spray foam hardens and is a repellent against water in a way that other forms of insulation cannot compare.

Another myth is that Spray Foam is an unproven fad. The truth is that Spray Foam has been here for a long time. As stated earlier, The United States has been using it for their planes since the 1940’s and as early as 1954 it was used in commercial homes. This is no fad. Just like when the foam is entered into a home, this type of insulation is an institution that is here to stay.

Remodeling That Pays You Back

Now that you know the truth about Spray Foam, there is nothing stopping you from becoming more energy efficient as soon as possible. Studies show that the cost of using spray foam in your home is recuperated in a couple years due to dwindling energy costs. What you do with the money you save after that, though, is completely up to you.