"...before you can control air you must first enclose air."*
Current research in building science indicates that air sealing the living space is more significant in determining overall thermal performance than R-value alone.
How is |
Attics
30-50% of your homes heat and air conditioning is lost through air leaks in your attic. The chimney effect draws in air at the soffit and releases it through ridge and/or gable vents. As air flows upward through your attic, it creates a suction that pulls your homes 
conditioned air with it. Attic stairs, recessed lighting fixtures, wall outlets and mechanical penetrations (water and gas service, telephone and cable connections, etc.) all provide air flow.
The result: You heat (or cool) the air in your home and your home is designed to draw the conditioned air outside. When energy was cheap, this worked just fine. Times have changed.
MORE INFO - A Scientific Perspective:
Unvented Roof Assemblies, 2007, Chris Schumacher, Building Science Consulting, www.buildingscienceconsulting.com
What about the venting in my attic?
| VIDEO | Here is a short video from Air Tight Insulation that explains how Spray Foam Insulation changes the game on roof venting. |
How does Spray Foam help?
When spray foam insulation is applied to your roof, our technicians seal off the soffit, ridge and gable vents. We air seal the top of your home keeping the conditioned air in the house. HVAC systems run less, last longer and operate more efficiently. Heating and cooling costs are reduced. Dust, dirt and pollen stays outside where it belongs. The EPA estimates that 20-50% of conditioned air escapes through vented attics.
Basements
In below grade spaces, the importance of thermal insulation takes a back seat to water vapor and moisture penetration. Most uninsulated basement walls (block or poured concrete) will be damp because condensation forms when warm air comes into contact with the cool masonry wall. This is why basements feel damp, they are a continuing science experiment demonstrating the effects of warm air contacting a cool surface.
How does Spray Foam help?
Closed cell spray foam insulation creates a complete moisture and vapor barrier that keeps warm air away from cool concrete & masonry surfaces. The result: drier, warmer basements.
Crawl Spaces
Cold floors over top of a vented crawl space is a common problem. Many floors over crawl spaces have no insulation at all while some others have batts that can become damp and moldy from condensation a result of cold air contacting the warmer sub-floor.
How does Spray Foam help?
By creating an insulated air and moisture barrier between the sub-floor and vented crawl space, floors above are warmer, drier and quieter.
Walls & Ceilings
Spray foam insulation in walls and ceilings is most often and easily done before the installation of drywall.
- Complete, custom fit, permanent air barrier, creates draft free rooms.
- Eliminates drafts inside wall cavities that rob heat through electrical, mechanical and plumbing penetrations in the framing.
- Condensation - common source of mold growth is eliminated.
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The application of spray foam insulation in your home will:
- reduce energy consumption,
- reduce heating and cooling bills,
- eliminate potential sources of mold growth,
- improve indoor air quality,
- keep your home cleaner,
- reduce you home's ecological impact
Homeowners Guide to Spray Foam Insulation - Sprayfoam.com, A concise guide to the benefits offered by spray foam.