The Benefits of Spray Foam

Forane® 1233ZD, the non-ozone depleting blowing agent, is most commonly used as spray foam for new homes or building construction. The benefits of spray foam vary from thermal insulation to low impact on the environment. Read below to find some of the most common benefits of using spray foam for buildings or 1233zd for construction. 

One of the most common benefits of spray foam in new homes and building construction is the increased thermal insulation value. Spray foam is a multi- purpose building material that  provides effective insulation, while also  acting as an air and vapor barrier between the interior and exterior of the home. 

The R-value of spray foam is important because high R-value means  “more resistant to heat passing through it, making the material a better insulator”, which Forane® 1233zd with its low GWP, high R-value solutions provides for insulation applications.  

Why is it important to have an air and vapor barrier between the interior and exterior of your home? 

Control of condensation or humidity in a building is a key preventative measure against mold growth. Builders using spray foam have more flexibility to seal gaps in awkward areas to prevent any air leaks, which reduces if not eliminates humidity and condensation. Reducing moisture build-up depletes the chances of mold. 

Read more about this topic at www.WhySprayFoam.com.

Peace-of-Mind and Disaster Preparation

Cost is always at the top of the list for a contractor or builder when developing a new property. But can you put a price on peace-of-mind? According to WhySprayFoam.com, spray foam insulation can lower costs related to heating and cooling dure to air leaks and, in many cases, can make your building more durable during things like extreme weather events. In fact, using spray foam for roofing systems improves the building strength and has an effective lifespan of 30+ years. Another benefit of is spray foam’s resistance to water damage due to its foam structure.  

What does FEMA say about spray foam for durability? 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , which responds to natural disasters, states that, “These materials can survive wetting and drying and may be successfully cleaned after a flood to render them free of most harmful pollutants”. When spray foam is used to seal the cavities of walls, it increases the durability as well as the strength of the structure because of the spray foam’s flexibility and nature to adhere to the surface it is sprayed on.  

Efficiency, Tax credits and Rebates for Spray Foam 

Lower your energy bills through improved efficiency and reduced air loss, as well as lower maintenance costs on roofing systems, with spray foam. WhySprayFoam.org states about ten metric tons of CO2 are emitted from the average home’s electricity and fossil fuel usage per year, costing home and building owners more than $1,200 a year. Of which 40% of the home’s energy is lost through the cracks and gaps in walls and roofing. Using spray foam to create an air-sealed building will improve energy efficiency, by reducing the amount of air leakage in and out of your home. Decreasing the home or building’s demand for energy from nuclear power plants, which will minimize the carbon dioxide emissions.  

The same reduced air loss and higher efficiency enables the builder to install small HVAC systems because more air will stay inside the home.  

Forane® Refrigerants, like R-32, are ideal for smaller systems because of their increased efficiency and capacity. For more info on the benefits of using Forane® R-32, click here.

Are there tax credits or rebates available for using spray foam insulation? 

Yes! If a homeowner purchases a new home or retrofits their existing home with spray foam, they may qualify for tax credits, rebates, and other incentives in their respective states.  

According to WhySprayFoam.org, starting January 1, 2023, consumers who take steps to make their homes more energy efficient are eligible to receive 30% tax credit, which is up to $1200 annually from the 25C. To learn more and see if you qualify, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.  

Enjoy the added benefit of fewer costs on pest control due to sealed gaps and crevices in awkward areas reducing the entry points for unwanted insects.  

Forane® 1233ZD and Sustainability 

As of January 1^st, 2023, EPA has declared that all foam applications with a Global Warming Impact (GWP) above 150 are to be banned, while XPS have been banned since January 1^st, 2020.  

Forane® FBA 1233zd liquid blowing agent was designed to meet the requirements of a 4th generation, low GWP products. The global warming potential of Forane® FBA 1233zd blowing agent is 1, which is a 99.9% reduction compared to currently used hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). In addition, Forane® FBA 1233zd has a zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). Forane® FBA 1233zd blowing agent should not be considered a volatile organic compound molecule because of its low maximum incremental reactivity (MIR).