How Much Money Will Foam Insulation Save on Monthly Energy Bills?
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Have you been trying to reduce your monthly energy bills? You may have heard about foam insulation and have questions about spray foam energy efficiency and how much money you can save.
You will save money with foam insulation over traditional insulation methods such as cellulose or fiberglass. However, your savings depend on a few different factors such as your thermal envelope and more.
Ascend Construction has served thousands of customers in the wider Fort Collins, Colorado area, and our customers have reported a high percentage in reduction of monthly energy costs, which is pretty incredible. Of course, the percentage reduction depends on other factors, especially if a customer has one insulated area in the home versus the entire house.
While our business is foam insulation, we also take pride in educating homeowners. This article covers the factors that determine how much you can save on your monthly energy costs, how installation in different areas of your home makes a difference, and why the air seal from the foam makes an impact.
How Does Spray Foam Save Consumers Money?
The main element in spray foam insulation that impacts your ability to save money on cooling and heating costs is the creation of the air seal.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, air conditioning and heating consume more than half of a household’s energy usage. Consider what would happen if your HVAC system runs continuously because you have challenges maintaining a consistent temperature in your house.
If the rooms in your home are uncomfortable and the house does not maintain a uniform temperature, you are disadvantaged because you are paying for cool or heated air that leaks outside. Also, the outside air is most likely trickling inside.
Foam insulation is the answer to this problem! It creates an air seal that holds the inside air indoors and the outside elements outdoors.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends several ways to lower monthly energy costs. One suggestion to reduce air leakage involves sealing your building from top to bottom with the best-suited insulation material.
If you compare traditional insulation versus foam, foam is more beneficial because it provides a tight air seal throughout the building.
How Much Savings Can You Enjoy from Using Spray Foam?
While savings on a household’s monthly energy costs will vary, our customers reported an incredible amount of savings when they insulated the entire house.
Of course, you will be happy with every penny you can save on your cooling and heating bills. However, you still have more factors to consider.
You will save more money in the long term with your foam insulation because once we complete the initial installation, there is no need to return to the insulation. You will not have that benefit with cellulose or fiberglass in your home.
Unfortunately, cellulose and fiberglass eventually shift, sag or break down. Therefore, homeowners have to replace the fiberglass eventually. They would have to maintain the cellulose regularly.
However, foam insulation is long-lasting. You do not have to replace it because you have had it installed for a long time. Further, it never sags or shifts. You will save money over time because you never have to worry about these maintenance or replacement costs.
What Determines Savings on Monthly Energy Bills?
Earlier, we shared that property owners reported they saved a high percentage on their monthly energy costs. So, what factors contribute to this difference?
Several factors impact how much you can save on your monthly utility bills. We will need to look at your windows and doors, HVAC systems, furnace, air conditioning unit, and all areas of your house insulated with foam.
HVAC System & Ducts
If you have not been staying on top of maintaining your HVAC system and ducts, you are most likely wasting money.
If you desire an energy-efficient home, you need a system that will not have any operational issues.
You can benefit from installing foam insulation in the house because it provides a tight air seal. However, if you do not have a well-maintained and well-tuned HVAC system, you will pay for those extra energy costs.
You must service your air conditioning unit and furnace every year, which includes replacing dirty filters with clean ones and sealing your home’s ducts when needed. You also must ensure that the service involves cleaning the mechanicals.
Once you arrange your annual maintenance consistently, your units will run effectively. You will save more money once your furnace and air conditioning unit run efficiently, along with foam insulation.
Air Conditioning Unit & Furnace
Here is some more information about your cooling and heating equipment.
Do you often set your air conditioning unit low during the summer and turn your furnace up during the winter? These two behaviors can influence how much money you save after your house is spray foamed.
The foam creates an air seal that ensures that your air will remain inside where you need it. Therefore, you will not have to adjust your air conditioning unit or furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature.
You can benefit from some tips from the Department of Energy about keeping your furnace and air conditioning unit well-maintained.
Resetting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day will save you approximately 10 percent monthly on your cooling and heating bills. Set the temperature when you go to sleep or when you are at your job. During the summer months, set the thermostat at 78 degrees. You can set it at 68 degrees during the winter.
If you turn the thermostat to high or low temperatures to quickly cool or heat your home, you are not benefitting from this practice. The time difference in setting the thermostat will not impact the time taken for the temperature to be comfortable. It will cost you more on your energy bills.
Doors & Windows
Even though you may have installed foam insulation in your house, you still have to pay attention to your doors and windows. If you do not, your money will be leaking through the spaces.
During the summer, you tend to feel the heat coming through the doors and windows. Similarly, during the winter, cold air comes into the house.
Air sealing your home is only effective if the other areas in the building are efficient. Once air leaks through your home’s windows and doors, your air conditioning unit and furnace have to run constantly to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Of course, the constant operation will reduce any savings you would benefit from the foam insulation.
Other Areas in the Home Insulated with Foam
If you only insulate a portion of your house with foam insulation, you will not enjoy the benefits and savings on your energy expenses.
You have the option to install foam insulation in specific areas of your home. However, if you want to reap the best advantages, you have to install it throughout the entire house.
If you decide to start insulation with your walls first or the wall only, you can develop a problem called the stack effect.
Stack Effect
The stack effect is the air movement responsible for increased energy expenses and uncomfortable houses. Through the crawl space, air from outside flows into the home and then to the living area. Since the walls would be foam insulated, the air does not go through them. Therefore, it builds pressure and continues flowing along with your treated air. This air movement flows to the attic and eventually out through the roof.
We suggest insulating the entire house because of the disadvantage of the stack effect. Full insulation will create an air seal in the house to restrict this type of air movement.
Decrease Your Monthly Energy Expenses with Foam Insulation
Based on the information above, foam insulation has several benefits, including reducing monthly energy costs; but you also have other factors to consider.
Are you interested in making your house fully energy efficient? Then, contact us to arrange a home energy audit. This home energy audit involves inspecting your home to evaluate the efficiency. We conduct a diagnosis, such as a blower door test, to reveal any air leaks. This is a fantastic approach when you have a goal to create a more energy-efficient home.
Conclusion
Get foam insulation in your home to decrease the money you spend on energy. You also have to implement changes around the house to make it more energy efficient, so you reap the full benefits.
Airtight House Fort Collins CO
When creating an airtight seal to improve the thermal envelope of your home, working with a professional insulation company is more effective strategy. They can consider all of the necessary factors that will improve efficiency, comfort, and more. Ascend Construction specializes in insulation removal and installation, energy conservation, energy audits, whole house fan installations, and more in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the neighboring areas.
Contact Ascend Construction for a free consultation today. We can provide you with practical solutions to address the problem areas in your Fort Collins home. All of our services are affordable, and our work is guaranteed. Click here to contact us, or click the button below to give Ascend Construction a call. We offer free, no-obligation, in-home consultations.
Ascend Construction
301 S Howes St #1241
Fort Collins CO, 80521
(970) 420-5495