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Home heating and cooling costs can be an enormous monthly expense for any household. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of money you spend on these utilities at home. To save money on your home heating and cooling costs, it’s important to insulate your home with foam insulation. Foam insulation is made from expandable or closed-cell foam that helps keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Installing foam insulation in walls, ceilings, and ductwork is an affordable way to make your home more energy-efficient and save money on your monthly energy bills year-round. If you’re looking for ways to cut down on your home heating and cooling costs this article is for you...
What is Foam Insulation?
Foam insulation is a type of insulation that is built into walls and other structures to regulate temperature and prevent energy loss. It can be made from a variety of materials, including petroleum, urea, and natural or blended synthetic foams. There are many types of foam insulation, including spray foam, closed-cell spray foam, open-cell spray foam, and rigid spray foam. Spray foam insulation is usually made from isocyanate and is sprayed directly onto the inside of a wall's surface. Closed-cell spray foam is made from a chemical called polyurethane and is designed to be used in walls, ceilings, and roofs. Open-cell spray foam, made from ethylene glycol, is used in areas like attics and crawl spaces. Rigid spray foam is made from polyurethane and is used for sealing around ducts, joints, and gaps to create an airtight seal.
Determining Your Home’s Thermal Efficiency
Before purchasing and installing foam insulation, it’s helpful to know the thermal efficiency of your home. You can use this number as a starting point in calculating the amount of money you can save on your energy costs each year. To determine your home’s thermal efficiency, you need to measure the R-value of your walls, ceilings, floors, and ductwork. The R-value is the measure of thermal resistance, or how well a material prevents heat transfer. To calculate the R-value of your home, you need to know the thickness of each material, the temperature of each material, the temperature of the room it’s in, and the velocity of the air around it. Once you know these values, you can enter them into this formula:
The Costs of Installing Foam Insulation
Installing foam insulation in your home costs between $1,200 and $3,000, according to CostHelper.com. Prices vary depending on the size and location of your home. If you’re installing foam insulation in your walls, expect to spend around $1,200. Pricing will increase if you’re insulating your ceiling, roof, or ductwork. Most homeowners are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $2,000 for installing insulation in their homes. This tax credit can be applied to the cost of hiring a contractor to install insulation in your home or purchasing insulation materials and installing them yourself.
How Foam Insulation Can Help Reduce Your Heating and Cooling Costs
Foam insulation helps regulate your home’s temperature to keep it at a comfortable level, regardless of what season it is. In the winter, foam insulation prevents heat from escaping from inside your home, making it a more energy-efficient option than other types of insulation. On hot summer days, foam insulation prevents excess heat from building up inside your home, which helps lower your energy bills in the summer months. In addition to regulating temperatures, foam insulation also helps reduce sound from inside and outside of your home. This can be especially helpful in homes with younger children or babies who might need a quieter environment.
Other Ways to Save on Your Home Heating and Cooling Costs
Beyond installing foam insulation, there are several other things you can do to lower your monthly energy costs and make your home more energy-efficient. Once a year, clean your air ducts to remove dust and other particles that can increase your home’s energy usage. A clogged duct can reduce airflow throughout your home, causing your air conditioner to work harder and use more energy than it needs to. You can also seal gaps around your home’s doors and windows with caulk to prevent warm and cool air from escaping. This can help keep your home at a more consistent temperature, which can also help lower your energy costs.
Conclusion
Foam insulation is a simple and inexpensive way to increase the energy efficiency of your home and save money on your monthly energy bills. It can also help reduce the noise inside and outside of your home so you and your family can enjoy a quieter living environment. To make your home more energy-efficient and save money on your home heating and cooling costs, consider installing foam insulation in your walls, ceilings, and ductwork. Now that you know what is foam insulation, how it can help reduce your home heating and cooling costs, and several other ways to save on your home heating and cooling costs, you can take action and make your home more energy-efficient.