Sustainable construction starts with an efficient building envelope
Constructing energy-efficient homes and buildings has become standard practice across the Southeast, benefiting both the environment and consumers. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption, an energy-efficient home can reduce families’ utility bills and improve indoor comfort. Delivering this performance begins with an efficient building envelope.
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is effective in providing long-lasting thermal protection and helps seal homes which can lose as much as 40 percent of heating and cooling energy through cracks and gaps in the building envelope. SPF can be used to insulate and act as a barrier against air leaks in common spots including walls, attics, floors, rim joists, crawl spaces, and areas around doors and windows. By creating a sound building envelope, which shields the home’s living areas from the outdoor environment, SPF insulation increases home energy-efficiency.
The benefits of an efficient building envelope extend beyond energy savings. SPF insulation guards against moisture intrusion in hot-humid climates, which protects indoor environments from mold growth. Protecting the home from the outdoor environment also can improve the durability of the building structure. Certain types of SPF insulation have been shown to improve the strength of walls and roofs, which can be especially important for homes built in areas susceptible to high-wind (and earthquake) events.
Building envelope measures deliver consistent performance and savings and are more easily incorporated into a home or building during construction. Utilizing building envelope measures so that the home wastes less energy and allows builders and homeowners to use smaller HVAC systems. Code officials can inspect the building envelope to give consumers confidence that the home is built to comply with code requirements and will perform as designed. The message is clear – efficiency measures like SPF insulation can reduce energy use and improve indoor comfort day and night.
SPF is an effective and valuable way to deliver long-lasting performance. To learn more about SPF insulation and its wide-ranging benefits, drop by the Spray Foam Coalition’s booth #813 at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) from July 28-29!
