Foaming Your Home Can Help You Save (NAPSA)—The use of energyefficient and environmentally responsible building materials is an important consideration for homeowners, developers, architects and contractors. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a wise choice for insulating homes and structures as it can help lower energy use and bills. Lower energy use meansthat less greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are being produced in the generation of electricity or other fuels that powerour buildings. You can help save the environ- ment and help yourself save some money, too, when you insulate your home. In California, which ranks among the most expensive states in terms of energy prices, SPF insulation can help homeowners save about $900 annually on their heating and cooling costs. Additionally, these energy savings mean homes insulated with SPF can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the state’s air by 800,000 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 2,700 cars from the roads there each year. And these savings aren’t limited to California. In Minneapolis, with its cold and long winters, a home with SPF insulation can save the equivalent of 2,400 barrels of oil over a 60-year period. A homein Houston, with its hot and long summers, can save the equivalent of 500 barrels of oil during that same period. And all these savings translate to less greenhouse gases being pumped into the environment. SPF produces these energy-efficiency benefits through its high Rvalue, which is the measureof the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. SPF can also act as an air barrier and sealant for cracks and gaps. This is important, as air leaks in a home can waste up to 40 percent of the energy used to heat and cool it. Whether your goals are energy efficiency, environmental stewardship or both, SPF offers a versatile product that can meet all your needs.
