MAKING THE CASE FOR
SPRAY FOAM:
An In-Depth Look at How SprayFoam Can Maximize Builder andHomeowner Efficiency

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation has been a tried and tested
option since the early 1960s, sought out for its ability to resist heattransfer. But why does it remain such a prominent and ideal solution?
With rising energy costs and environmental concerns, the demandfor increased home and building efficiency is higher than ever. WhileSPF has a higher up-front cost, it offers substantial efficiency overalternative technologies—from R-value per inch to installation
process and lifetime energy savings.
Justifying and selling a higher up-front cost presents a significant
challenge. This white paper will provide a holistic view of SPF, enabling
you to clearly articulate the end-to-end costs and benefits to yourclients—builders, homeowners, and building owners.

Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

The Spray Foam Difference
According to the Spray Foam Coalition and the American

Comparative
Thermal Performance

Chemistry Council, if all of the 113 million single family homes
in the United States used SPF, Americans could save up to$33 billion in energy costs each year.1 Additionally, financial
incentives exist to encourage architects, designers, and building

Insulation Material

R-value per inch

owners to reduce energy consumption in their buildings.

Batts and rolls

R-2.9 to R-3.8

If every U.S. single family homeused SPF, Americans could
save up to $33 billion
in energy costs each year.

Rigid foam board

R-4 to R-6.5

Structured insulated
panels (SIPs)

R-3.6 to R-7

Loose fill and blown-in

R-2.2 to R-3.8

SPF

R-3.7 to R-7+

SPF is a foam insulation with blowing agents that enable the foam
to expand and harden during application, effectively sealing any
cracks, joints, or seams. With an R-value per inch ranging from
R-3.7 to R-7+, SPF easily creates air tight barriers with minimal
material or space, which is a significant advancement toward
reducing the amount of energy used to heat and cool a building
and can be directly translated into cost savings. The NIST estimatesthat reducing annual air infiltration rates by 83% in nonresidentialbuildings could save more than 40% on gas bills and more than
25% on electricity.²R-values measure the minimum thermal
performance (rated by thickness) needed tokeep a building warm in winter and cool insummer. The higher the R-value per inch, themore efficient the insulation.
With an R-value per inch ranging from R-3.7
to R-7+, SPF creates air tight barriers thatuse little material and space, reducing theenergy and cost to heat or cool a building.

¹ https://dii.americanchemistry.com/Why-Spray-Foam-Infographic/² http://ws680.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=914293
http://www.regie-energie.qc.ca/audiences/3677-08/RepDDRInterv_3677-08/C-3-8_GRAME_Rep-Annex4-vsDDR1-HQD_3677_19nov08.pdf

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Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

Explaining the SPF Formulation Class Differences
Open Cell SPF
Open cell (low density) SPF is water-based and filledwith air, giving the insulation a spongy texture. The useof a water blowing agent means minimal global warming
potential (GWP). However, its insulation value is only
approximately R-3.7 per inch—requiring more foam toachieve the same R-value as closed cell.

Closed Cell SPF
Closed cell (medium density) SPF uses an insulating gas
substitute for the air found in open cell SPF, resultingin R-value ranges from R-6.5 to R-7.0+ per inch andsuperior energy efficiency. Historically, the downsideof these fluorochemical blowing agents has been theirhigher GWP than water-based, open cell alternatives. But
more recent formulations of HFO (hyrdofluoroolefin) andHCFO (hydrochlorofluorooelefin) foams have produced
fourth generation closed cell technology with ultra-low
GWP. That means closed cell SPF can now offer greater
energy savings with a smaller carbon footprint.

Common Performance
Advantages of SPF:
• Enhanced indoor comfort, withbetter temperature and humidity
regulation, sound proofing,allergen and pest control, andimproved air quality.
• Superior water sealant andmold prevention qualities• Added structural integrity
and strength3Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

Where and Why Each SPF Makes Sense
Open Cell Applications
While closed cell is an optimal choice for many insulation projects, open cell is commonlyused in milder, more humid climates. Open cell has a higher vapor permeability, whichmeans it transmits water vapor and reduces the condensation problems that can occur
with seasonal changes in weather or from humid air in warmer climates.
Open cell also has a slight edge over closed cell regarding sound proofing; however,building design can counteract this differential. Additionally, if cost is a primary concern,
open cell is less expensive to install; however, the R-value is lower and extra installation
steps are required, creating hidden costs.

Closed Cell Applications
Across structure and application types, closed cell spray foams offer consistent
performance benefits. It shines in tight spaces that require the greatest R-value
insulation per inch possible. Also, medium-density foam is often used forcontinuous insulation, interior cavity fill, and unvented attic applications. It canprovide a high tensile and bond strength, offers low vapor permeance, and is not
generally affected by moisture, such as wind-driven rains, and closed cell SPF is
the only insulation type listed as “acceptable flood resistant material” by FEMA.³
Although the material is much denser than open cell foam and it can be more
expensive to install, closed cell offers a complete, single solution. While open cell
may appear far less expensive at face value, it requires additional steps and costs,
such as air sealing, vapor control, and framing materials.

ClimateIf the structure is locatedin a warm climate, theR-value recommendation
will be lower.

Insulation Location
Areas within thestructure such as
wood-framed walls andcrawl-spaces with walls
require lower R-values
than attics, for example.

Heating andCooling System
Whether the structure
operates with a furnace,central air conditioner, or
heat pump determines
how low of an acceptable
R-value can be utilized.
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Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

Closed Cell Return-on-Investment
While traditional blown-in insulation may cost less at install, an upgrade to energy efficient closed cell spray foam quickly provides
a return-on-investment, paying for itself in as little as three years. Homeowners can see up to a 47% reduction in annual heating andcooling expenses and save thousands of dollars throughout their home ownership tenure.⁴ Additionally, lowering the temperature inattics—where HVAC equipment is often located—extends the life of HVAC equipment by increasing efficiency and reducing system strain.

³ https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1627-20490-6534/how2025_build_4_11.pdf
⁴ http://www.brainstuffshow.com/blogs/how-insulation-works-what-r-value-means-and-how-to-calculate-heat-lossgain-for-your-house.htm
https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/tables/pdf/wf-table.pdf

5Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

Meeting Energy Codes with Closed Cell Spray Foam
Today, changing building codes and regulations routinely emphasize the need for greater efficiency and energy conservation. Statesand local jurisdictions have passed legislation for more energy-efficient building codes. SPF is an essential tool in helping architects andbuilders meet the changing codes to effectively seal the building envelope.

Sealing the Building Envelope
The building envelope is the structure that
separates the interior, climate-controlled
portions of construction from the exterior
elements. Choosing an air-tight insulation, likeclosed cell SPF, is the key to preventing heatgains and losses through the building envelope.

Closed cell SPF creates an air tightseal in the areas that are most prone
to air leaks.

Building Envelope
Air leaking out of house
Air leaking into house
Source: U.S. EPA

6Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

The Role of Closed Cell Spray Foam in Sustainable Energy Savings
Zero Energy Ready
A Zero Energy Ready Building combines extreme energy
efficiency with renewable energy systems that “offset allor most of its annual energy consumption.”⁵ It represents
a whole new level of sustainable building performance forenergy savings, comfort, health, and durability.
SPF is an ideal insulation for achieving an airtight building
envelope to create a net zero energy structure. Low global
warming potential (GWP) blowing agents, such as Opteon™
1100, make enhanced energy efficiency possible. It provides alower carbon footprint, significantly reducing greenhouse gasesin the blowing agent’s manufacturing and usage lifecycle.

HFO-based closed cell SPF, like Opteon 1100,
reduces the carbon dioxide (and CO2 equivalent)emissions of a house by approximately 60,000
kilograms compared to traditional HFC-based
spray foam insulation.6

1House100
Houses100,000
Houses1,000,000Houses= 60,000 kg
of CO₂
reduction= 6 Million kg
of CO₂
reduction= 6 Billion kg
of CO₂
reduction= 6 Trillion kg
of CO₂
reduction

Based on assumption that each house is 2,400 sq-ft, over a 60 year period.

⁵ https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-home6
https://www.chemours.com/Formacel/en_US/assets/downloads/20120924_CPI_paper.pdf

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Making the Case for Spray Foam: An In-Depth Look at How Spray Foam Can Maximize Builder and Homeowner Efficiency

About Opteon™ 1100 Foam Blowing Agent
Opteon™ 1100, formerly Formacel™ 1100, is a foam blowing agent that offers superior
thermal performance and energy efficiency compared to other blowing agents.
Named the 2017 Center for the Polyurethane Industry Innovation Award, Opteon™ isaddressing the growing need for high-performance products with reduced environmental
impact. Opteon™ 1100 is a nonflammable, sustainable alternative for the polyurethane foam
industry with ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) and low ozone depletion potential.
Closed cell SPF with Opteon™ 1100 foam blowing agent is the optimal choice due to
its many benefits:
 ow GWP Solution:
L
Sustainable choice for the environment.
Superior Air Seal:
Ideal air and moisture barrier, improving
indoor air quality, keeping out pollen, dust,
insects, and preventing mold growth.
 igh R-Value:
H
Superior thermal performance and lower
energy costs.

 reater Chemical Stability:
G
Outstanding application performance, bothunder extreme conditions (hot or cold) and onepass installations relative to other spray foamproducts.
 eets Changing Regulatory Requirements:
M
Ultra-low global warming potential withimproved insulating performance.

For more information, please visit Opteon.com/WhySprayFoam orcontact an Opteon™ 1100 technical expert at 1-866-205-1664.

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. Chemours makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and assumes noliability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe on any patents or trademarks.
© 2018 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC.
Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.