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Products You Can Purchase
Insulation
The type of insulation you choose to install in your home can make a big
difference when it comes time to pay your energy bills. While these products
might cost more than conventional insulation initially, the economical
difference can be seen when it’s time to pay the energy bills.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is made up from recycled newspapers, and can be used for
insulation in any building. It is non-toxic, so it does not emit any chemicals
or toxins into the air. Boric acid is added to the cellulose to resist mold
growth, fire, moisture absorption, corrosive action or paper degradation.
How it Works
- Cellulose insulation is wet-sprayed into wall studs or attic trusses of new
construction, a method that provides a seamless bond with the surface it is
sprayed onto, and will not settle after drying.
- Dry cellulose can be blown into existing walls, attics, and floor spaces.
- Cellulose has been shown to hold up over time, has superior thermal and air
infiltration properties, and is an effective sound barrier.
Where It Can Be Used
- Cellulose is most effective in new buildings or additions, because it is wet
sprayed.
- In existing buildings, dry cellulose is installed by drilling holes into the
exterior siding and blowing it into the stud spaces.
- Also, dry cellulose can be blown into the attics of new or existing
buildings.
Environmentally Friendly
- Cellulose insulation is manufactured by processing old newspapers which is
more energy efficient than manufacturing fiberglass insulation. When
manufacturing fiberglass insulation, sand and glass are melted in a gas-fired
furnace, which takes an enormous amount of energy.
- Cellulose a quality insulation that has been on the market for more than 50
years. It can be purchased and installed at a low cost, and can reduce energy
bills by 40%, as compared to fiberglass insulation.
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ICYNENE® Foam Insualtion
ICYNENE® insulation is made with water-based, open-celled polyicynene
material that is an environmentally safe modified urethane. It contains no
formaldehyde, CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFC’s
(hydro chlorofluorocarbons), and emits no VOC’s (volatile organic
compounds) 30 days after installation.
How it Works
- ICYNENE® foam is applied by spraying liquid components onto an open
wall or ceiling surface where they expand in seconds to provide a flexible
foam blanket of millions of tiny air cells, completely filling building
cavities and sealing cracks and crevices in the process. It adheres to
virtually everything it touches, sealing out air infiltration. Excess material
is easily trimmed off, leaving a surface ready for drywalling or other
finish.
- Foam insulation is an effective and durable sound, moisture, air, and heat
barrier. It does not break down over time, and will not warp as it dries. It
is compatible with electrical wiring, does not cause corrosion in contact with
steel, does not promote bacterial or fungal growth and has been thoroughly
evaluated by and approved of by both the Canadian and the United States
government.
Where it Can Be Used
- ICYNENE® can be used in new construction projects, restoration
projects, or can be injected into existing walls that are not presently
insulated. Because it does not warp with curing (drying) it is ideal for use
around pipes and ductwork.
- It is ideal for insulating cathedral ceilings, bonus rooms located in attic
spaces, and thoroughly insulates around rough piping and electrical outlets.
Drywall can be installed shortly after application.
- ICYNENE® can be used instead of building wrap, fiberglass,
polyethylene vapor barrier, tape, foam and caulking, and eliminates the labor
intensive work associated with air-tightness detailing when insulating with
fiberglass.
Certifications
ICYNENE® has been certified by Envirodesic for Healthy Indoor Air
Quality, used by the American Lung Association for their Healthy House
Projects, in the National Association of Homebuilders Demonstration Homes at
their Annual Conference, and by the U.S. Department of Energy in their Building
American Program "The New American Home®" Using 50% Less Energy
and it is safe for use by chemically sensitive, allergic or asthmatic
individuals.
Other Resources
Biobased 501®, A Soy-based Foam Insulation
BioBased 501® insulation is made of an ultra-light weight, two-part
soybean oil-based polyurethane. It emits no VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
or CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and contains no formaldehyde. It behaves much
like petroleum-based plastic foam, without any of the environmental side
effects.
How it Works
- Soy bean based polyurethane insulation is a spray-on, open-cell, semi-rigid
foam that provides a sealed, thermal envelope by filling any cavity in a
building. When sprayed onto a surface, the insulation expands 100 times its
original liquid size for a perfect air-sealed fit. It creates millions of tiny
air pockets that result in effective insulation.
- BioBased 501® Soy Foam creates an insulated, seamless barrier that
eliminates air infiltration, the number one cause of energy loss in a
building. It also provides a strong barrier against noise, moisture, and heat.
It is the most environmentally-friendly insulation in the industry, while
remaining very cost-effective.
- While the initial cost of purchasing and installing the BioBased 501®
Soy Foam is high initially, it has the ability to reduce utility bills from 30
to 50%.
- BioBased 501® Soy Foam is environmentally safe. It contains no toxic
chemicals, loose fibers or inherent dust none. This greatly increases indoor
air quality (IAQ) by reducing the amount of dust and particulates emitted into
the air in and around your home, which reduces respiratory issues with
building occupants. Mold and mildew will not grow on the insulation.
Where it Can Be Used
- BioBased 501® Soy Foam can be used in new construction projects,
restoration projects, or can be injected into existing walls that are not
presently insulated. Because it does not warp with curing (drying) it is ideal
for use around pipes and ductwork.
- It is ideal for insulating cathedral ceilings, bonus rooms located in attic
spaces, and thoroughly insulates around rough piping and electrical outlets.
Drywall can be installed shortly after application.
- BioBased 501® Soy Foam can be used instead of building wrap,
fiberglass, polyethylene vapor barrier, tape, foam and caulking, and
eliminates the labor intensive work associated with air-tightness detailing
when insulating with fiberglass.
Testimonials – Hewett House Retrofit
BioBased 501® insulation was installed on the basement walls of the
Hewett House, home of the Ecology Action Center office. This product has
resolved a major moisture problem that was causing deterioration of the
foundation walls. Prior to installation, the basement had a musty smell, with
crumbling brick and flaking paint on the walls. Now the moisture has been
stopped by the soybean insulation, and the basement is much brighter and
friendlier. The product was donated to the Ecology Action Center by
BioBased 501® Insulation (800-803-5189) and installed by ATC Insulators of
Metamora, IL (309-393-2161).
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