Understanding the Benefits of BioBased Insulation®

Understanding the Benefits
of BioBased Insulation
®
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What is BioBased Insulation ?
BioBased Insulation® is a spray polyurethane foam insulation installed by a professional. The product is sprayed
into the wall cavity, in an attic, or in a crawlspace as a
liquid and quickly expands to fill cracks and gaps. That
expansion helps to create a complete air barrier, which
stops air infiltration and gives you control over the air
inside your home.
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Why Insulate With Spray Foam?
We all understand that foam is an effective insulation
because of an everyday application — foam ice chests.
A foam ice chest is usually half an inch of foam with
an R-value of about 2, and it is an illustration of the
benefits of air sealing that is easily understood. Buy
a foam ice chest and ice on Friday, and if you keep
the lid on tight you’ll still have ice left on Sunday
night. If you don’t close the lid tight, the ice won’t
last the weekend.
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As in the ice chest, outdoor air that leaks inside your
home makes it difficult to maintain its comfort and
energy efficiency. The spray foam insulation in your
home would be much thicker than that foam ice chest
in this example, so you can begin to understand how
efficient your home will be when you use BioBased
Insulation® to insulate and air seal.
Houses Don’t Really
Leak that Much, do They?
According to ENERGYSTAR air leakage accounts
for 25–40% of the energy used for heating and cooling
in a typical home. The air leakage in a typical home is
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equivalent to leaving a window open throughout the
year. That air leakage goes both ways — conditioned air
leaving the home and unconditioned air and moisture
entering the home.
Doesn’t a House Need to Breathe?
The best thing you can do for your home is build it
tight and ventilate it right. Adding ventilation to your
heating and air unit will provide controlled ventilation
for your home.
This air seal and ventilation will usually benefit family
members with asthma or allergies, because they don’t
have to deal with unfiltered air leaking into the home.
Also by correctly sizing the HVAC system, homes with
spray foam insulation usually do not have moisture
problems or mold.
Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost More?
When compared to traditional insulations like fiberglass
or cellulose, spray foam insulation does cost more up
front, but you need to remember:
• With spray foam you are getting an insulator and
an air barrier in one product. That difference will
save you money each month by decreasing heating
and cooling costs.
• Because the energy demand on your home is lower,
a smaller heating and cooling system usually can be
installed with lower up-front costs.
• Many times you can reduce or eliminate the use of
other building materials when you use foam, such
as soffit vents, ridge vents, attic ventilation fans,
radiant barriers or vapor retarders.
• You can usually finance the cost difference as part
of your mortgage, so the increase to your overall
monthly mortgage will be relatively minimal.
• Many times the energy savings from spray foam
can help you qualify for an Energy-Efficient
Mortgage which can save you money.
How Much Will I Save in
Heating and Cooling Costs?
When BioBased Insulation® is used with other responsible building practices, you can typically save up to 50%
on heating and cooling costs compared to traditionally
insulated structures.
If Energy-Efficient Homes are Valuable,
Does That Affect Their Resale Value?
Yes, and that’s a trend that is not likely to change soon.
According to the Appraisal Journal, for every $1 decreased
from a home’s utility bills, the market value of the home
is increased by approximately $40.
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BioBased 501w® being spray applied
BioBased Insulation® products are spray polyurethane foams. During application, precautions should be taken
by applicators, helpers and building occupants to protect them from fumes, mists and spills. For more information
view our product MSDS at biobased.net/products.
BUILD HEALTHY. BUILD SMART. ®
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