Useful Information
| | The Green Factor
Insulation is a key component of any green building program, because insulation conserves energy. Structures that are not properly insulated wasted energy!
Icynene® insulation can help you achieve Leed Certification and other green building certifications.
Icynene® is an effective insulation and air barrier material and can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.
Icynene® contains no CFC’s, HCFC’s, HFA’s, formaldehyde, or Volatile Organic Compounds
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Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Foam
| | Open Cell Foam | Closed Cell Foam | R- Value
| 3.6-3.7
| 6.1-6.2 | | Permeability | 10 ( Higher Permeability) | 1 (Lower Permeability) | | Air Barrier | Yes | Yes | | Density | .5 lb/cu.ft | 2lb/cu.ft | | Cost | Lower Cost | Higher Cost | | Sound Absorption | Good for normal frequencies | Good for Bass Tones | The Fallacies of Venting Crawl Spaces, Craig De Witt, PhD, PEAlmost 70% of the houses in South Carolina have crawl space foundations. We build more crawl space foundations than any other state in the country. Yet we continue to have problems with our crawl spaces. These problems include mold and decay, elevated radon levels, and termite and other pest concerns. We see condensation on ductwork, mold on joists, termite and wood boring beetle damage and cupped hardwood floors. Our current solution is to increase ventilation of the crawl space. Read more... Air Sealing - Seal air leaks and save energy! | Insulation Facts | Residential Energy-Efficient Design and Construction Checklist | | Ventilation is fresh air that enters a house in a controlled manner to exhaust excess moisture and reduce odors and stuffiness. Air leakage, or infiltration, is outside air that enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. It is unwise to rely on air leakage for ventilation. During cold or windy weather, too much air may enter the house and, during warm or calm weather, too little. Also, a leaky house that allows moldy, dusty crawlspace or attic air to enter is not healthy. Read more... | Electricity bills, oil bills, gas bills - all homeowners pay for one or more of these utilities, and wish they paid less. Often many of us do not really know how to control or reduce our utility bills. We resign ourselves to high bills because we think that is the price we have to pay for a comfortable home. We encourage our children to turn off the lights and appliances, but may not recognize the benefits of insulating the attic. Read more... | A whole-house “systems” approach to design and construction is recognized as the appropriate method of developing energy-efficient and sustainable homes. A systems approach considers the interaction between the site, building envelope, mechanical systems, occupants, and other factors. The system approach recognizes that features of one component of the house can greatly affect others. Read more...
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"R" Fairy Tale - The Myth of Insulation Values The R-value is a modern fairy tale. It’s a fairy tale that has been so touted to the American consumer that it now has a chiseled in-stone status. But the saddest part of this fairy tale is that the R-value by itself is almost a worthless number. Read more... 
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