Icynene Synopsis

Simply put, installing Icynene to your home or business is not just insulation but a complete Insulation System.  Batt and Blown In Fiber Insulation products offer an R-Value (R is an indication of heat conduction) benefit only.  The thicker the application the higher the R-Value. The negative effects of these products are that they compress over time and they allow airflow, both of which reduce its R-Value and effectiveness as insulation.

Therma Seal Insulation Systems creates an “unvented attic” assembly, which prohibits the intrusion of heat, humidity or pollen into the attic space.  More importantly, the cool air you produce; which in the past seeps through the conventional insulation and dispersed out into the environment, is now retained in the attic space.  The result is a home, which cools quickly and then retains this temperature significantly longer

The benefits you gain by adding this system include air quality and sound absorption and improved energy efficiency. 

As indicated, Icynene is an insulation system that beyond its thermal attributes (R Value) is an Air Barrier system.  This envelope over the conditioned space, is also known as “Unvented Attic System” (http://www.thermaseal.net/images/stories/design-notes/benefits-of-unvented-attic.pdf)

The system provided by Therma Seal retains this cooler air inside the attic envelope.  The ducts and handlers now work in a comfortable environment without a dew point (preventing mold/mildew).   Visit www.thermaseal.net to meet the Therma Seal Team and a complete viewing of the application, case studies and more.

jfinck@thermaseal.net

561.775.9703

Evolving Building Science: Insulation and its importance

Insulation: No longer a low priority on the home building process.

                For years, the insulation scope of a building process was merely glanced at during the budget meeting prior to breaking ground on a new project. 

Today, with consistent increases in the price of energy, a home’s energy efficiency and successful application of building science is very much so, a high priority.  Society has also become more aware of the “green” movement, and actively looks to participate.  The evolution of insulation has created a solution to an energy loss problem.

                Fiberglass insulation is a method of insulating a home, dating back to 1938.  With technological advances doubling every ten years, you may ask yourself; Why is it still used today? 

                Trends show fiberglass is being used less and less as people are becoming educated on the use of spray foam and its air barrier characteristics.   No matter how much fiberglass insulation you have in an attic, and how cool it may keep it (or warm), the HVAC unit may continue to run and run.  This is the result of malignant air leakage.  The average household could fill two blimps per day due to air leaking out of a building envelope.  Icynene, the leader in spray foam, provides the cure all to air leakage, with supplemental advantages such as increased air quality, sound attenuation, and added structural integrity.

                Icynene is applied to the entire underside of the roof decking, all the way to the perimeter, rendering the use of soffit vents useless, thus creating an “unvented attic.”  The easiest way to grasp the concept of an unvented attic is a tightly sealed cooler; if you set two coolers out full of ice with one of them being cracked open, which cooler would have ice a day later? Why... the unvented cooler has successfully contained the cold, allowing the ice (HVAC) to work less and CONSERVE its energy. 

                Icynene works in a similar fashion, giving your HVAC a huge reduction in output, thus cutting your cooling and heating costs nearly in half!  To learn more, visit www.thermaseal.net.

World Health Day: Concerned about formaldehyde in Icynene spray foam?

Should I be worried about potential exposure to formaldehyde from Icynene spray foam insulation products?

No, there is no reason to be worried about exposure to formaldehyde from Icynene spray foam insulation. Formaldehyde is not used as an ingredient in the manufacture of Icynene spray foam insulation.

Icynene spray foam insulation has been tested numerous times over the years, by highly-sophisticated and reputable third party laboratories, for levels of formaldehyde. Tiny amounts of formaldehyde detected in conjunction with application of Icynene spray foam insulation originate from other materials in the application space or “trace” amounts occurring normally in the raw materials used to manufacture the foam. In all cases, the data show levels of formaldehyde to be virtually undetectable with sensitive laboratory equipment within a short time  after spraying.

Independent laboratory testing confirms that formaldehyde emissions from even freshly-sprayed Icynene foam are well within the strict guidelines for use in schools and offices set by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) in the state of California soon after spraying.

You can be certain that formaldehyde is not an ingredient in Icynene spray foam insulation and has been thoroughly tested by reputable third-party laboratories to ensure that any trace amounts of formaldehyde conform to normal indoor air levels and meet strict guidelines for schools.

What is formaldehyde and why is it a common concern relating to foam products?

Formaldehyde is a naturally-occurring and widely present chemical in our world. Formaldehyde is a simple chemical compound made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, with the formula CH₂O. Most organic life forms - bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans - produce formaldehyde at various levels. In fact, formaldehyde is even present in human breath.

Formaldehyde does not accumulate in the environment or within plants, animals or people, as metabolic processes quickly break it down in the body and the atmosphere. Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of many products in the home:

• asphalt shingles
• sheathing & cladding
• walls & wall panels
• floors & roofs
• electrical boxes & outlets
• furniture
• counter tops, cabinets & cabinet doors
• appliances: washers, dryers, & dishwashers
• plumbing: faucets, showerheads, & valve mechanisms;
• paints & varnishes
• and others

Most of the fiberglass batt insulation existing in walls and attics today was manufactured with formaldehyde-based binders. Formaldehyde became linked to spray foam insulation
because a common, early generation type of foam was formed using formaldehyde (i.e. urea-formaldehyde foam) and it contained substantial levels of residual formaldehyde. Icynene products are polyurethane, not urea-formaldehyde, foams and formaldehyde is not used to produce this type of foam.

South Florida General Contractors Know They Are Providing A Wonderful Product; and acting in the best interest of future homeowners for energy efficieny & air quality.

South Florida general contractors who utilize the energy efficient and healthier Icynene spray foam insulation system also utilize several reductions under the FBC.  

Moss Construction achieves improved sound absorption and air quality in exposed application of Icynene Spray Foam by Therma Seal

An eclectic use of office space is provided by Therma Seal to the Moss & Associates Construction Headquarters.

Therma Seal sprayed the Icynene Classic Max Insulation System to the underside of the top floor roof, providing an air barrier envelope for superior cooling and humidity control.

Moss Construction left the foam application exposed and coated with DC315 plus and additional layer of gray paint to accommodate a progressive aesthetic appearance.

Beyond the value benefits of the air barrier is the sound absorption provided in this open space layout.

Does spray foam insulation cost more than fiberglass and cellulose?

-Icynene Corp

Although behind the wall, insulation is one of the most important investments in any residential or commercial project that your client can make. More often than not, the argument for or against spray foam insulation is affected by cost. While spray foam insulation does cost more than fiberglass and cellulose, it’s important to recognize the return on investment that Icynene spray foam insulation offers.

An article in the Chicago Tribune identifies spray foam insulation as a more complex system that is applied as a liquid that can fill in every crack and seam consistently while fiberglass need to be cut carefully to fit the cavities. This can leave gaps which allow vast amounts of air to escape. 

It’s these gaps in the inconsistent coverage of fiberglass that can have a significant impact on the daily energy consumption, and therefore the building’s heating and cooling costs.  It’s believed that all the gaps left by fiberglass insulation allows enough air escape an average American home to fill two air blimps – every day.  This kind of inconsistency in performance also applies to cellulose since it can impacted by gravity and moisture which hinders its performance.

Does spray foam insulation cost more than fiberglass or cellulose? When you consider the amount of air escaping from poorly insulated fiberglass buildings (and the costs associated with an overworked HVAC system) together with the factors that can affect performance such as moisture, mold potential and gravity against the performance consistency and return on investment value of spray foam insulation, then the cost of spray foam insulation is a wise investment for any building owner.

                             

Remember that variables such as spray foam type, labor and quantity do have an impact on the initial investment price, your clients have the opportunity to use an energy efficient product that provides savings as much as 50% on every monthly heating and cooling bills. No other insulation product can provide such a saving.

Therma Seal Insulation Systems
Solutions Driven... Customer Focused!

Insulation and the truth behind R-value

What is the correct R-Value to be installed in a vented attic?

When speaking in terms of R-Value as it relates to insulation, we are speaking to the speed at which heat conductively travels from the hot side towards the cold side .  The higher the R-Value the slower the speed of heat transfer.  Note R-Value does not stop the transfer, merely slows it down.  An example on your kitchen stove is the time it takes to warm an aluminum pan verse the time to warm a cast iron pan; we will still cook in both cases.   Keep in mind heat travels in multiple methods and wave lengths including airflow.  Conventional insulation can only address the conduction transfer and ignores the transfer of heat by radiation and airflow (convection).  

The solution, an air barrier. When measuring the effectiveness of insulation, R value is the only factor most insulation manufacturers talk about because it’s all they offer. R value measures the ability to limit conductive heat flow (heat transferred through it). But the primary method of heat transfer is not conductive heat flow — it’s air leakage (convection). Air leakage can account for up to 40% of a building’s energy loss, and it cannot be stopped with traditional insulation. R value is important, but an airtight seal is equally important for achieving energy savings.

Icynene spray foam insulation provides insulation R value and air-sealing in a single step. This is the only way to truly provide your clients with the most energy-saving value from their insulation costs.

The Wikipedia link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation) indicates R-Value as thermal resistance.  The higher the R, the more effective.  However there is a space requirement and a balance which should be recognized when choosing the R- Value.  Space is required to add R-Value.   In discussing the batt insulation product 8” is required to achieve a R-Value of 30.  If one were to compress the R30 batt into a 5” cavity this result is a denser product but also a lower R-Value which is near 19.

When is Too Much R in a vented attic a poor concept in hot humid climates?

A vented attic is designed to allow air flow to enter and escape.  Conceptually, heat rises and ridge vents and whirly birds support the relief of heat in an attic.  This process reduces some of the heat, depressurizes the attic and draws new or cooler air in through existing soffits or form the conditioned air of the home.  It is important to have reasonable air flow to prevent other issues which can cause mold or mildew.

Essentially, we are cooling the attic, yet the air is then released to the world.  AC duct systems work in this environment and may be subject to sweating if the metal or aluminum conduit of the duct system is cold and the attic air is too hot.  Restating the importance of air flow in a vented attic, we realize as we increase the volume of insulation to the deck of an attic we reduce the ingress and egress of air flow.  Many times over insulating an attic deck promotes higher dew points and sweating because the attic become even hotter.  Although it is separated from conditioned living by more insulation, reducing the loss of cool air the attic bakes at a higher temperature.  This concern becomes especially evident as the roof slope of an attic is low.

Therma Seal Spray Foam Insulation
Solutions Driven... Customer Focused
561.775.9703