Warm Home Insulation

Insulation is very important when it comes to houses and buildings.  Fiberglass was the most common type of insulation until the introduction of the Polyurethane foam insulation system.  Polyurethane is known to be a closed-cell material ensuring that the indoors is kept free from air and moisture.

The process of installing this type of insulation is also very simple and does not require anything else to hold it in place.  The foam is sprayed into the walls or between the ceiling and the roof.  The foam then starts to expand to about 100 times its original volume, thus, making its way to all parts of the wall and leaving no room for air or moisture to seep in.  It can be installed even in the hardest places to reach without settling or shrinking.

This type of residential insulation is highly recommended by the US Department of Energy because of its energy efficiency.  Spray foam insulation has an R-value of 6 to 8 per inch, much higher than that of fiberglass which only has an R-value of 2 to 4.  This means that any heating or cooling equipment would not require as much fuel as it would need with any other types of insulation systems.  Polyurethane, once installed in between walls and ceilings, does not emit any harmful odors or fumes.  Its efficiency in sealing out moisture makes it impossible for mold and mildew to grow, thus, reducing the risks of allergies.  It is very effective in keeping bugs and rodents out as the spray foam material has no food value for them whatsoever.

The great thing about spray foam insulation is that it actually adds to the structural strength of a house or building without adding too much weight to it.  So regardless of what material a house is made of, polyurethane spray foam insulation will adhere easily and work efficiently.

For more information about Spray Foam and how it can work for you, contact EcoLogic Spray Foam Insulation at 1 888 880-8420.

Tags : benifits, building envelope, efficiency, R-value
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Insulation foremost to efficient building

Today, common Insulation creates moisture problems

We must adopt modern, efficient insulation materials.  Insulation material in Canada needs to be updated to effectively protect our homes and reduce our energy dependency.  Canada’s often-humid climate is characterized by high humidity throughout the year in places. The effect of this climate on buildings and residential housing in particular is significant.  Moisture drive is the main issue though the seasonal temperature range exceeds 40 degrees Celsius (80 degrees in places) and contributes to structural damage and energy consumption over the course of the year.

Canadian homes are almost all insulated with fiberglass insulation though recently other fibrous materials such as cellulose and mineral wool have made inroads to the market.  Insulation in Canada must provide protection from moisture drive as well as thermal protection because of our climate.  In Canada, insulation needs to perform as an air barrier and a vapor barrier.  While traditional walls are built with air barrier and vapor barrier layers to protect the fibrous insulation, these have resulted in costly damage on an enormous scale in Canada’s climate.  Either because of poor installation, failure to seal with caulking (in older homes), post installation penetrations placed in the wall by homeowners or failure of the sealants over time, this technique fails to stand up to the environment.

Modern insulation is more costly to install, but save far more money in time.

Insulation in Canada is cheap and readily available and most homeowners give it little thought because it is so widely accepted that insulation comes in plastic bags and is pink in color.  This ready acceptance needs to be challenged for in Canada, pink insulation is responsible for water damage from water ingress, vapor drive from the interior side of the wall and the resultant mold and mildew issues that this soon to be trapped water creates.

Spray Foam Insulation results in energy efficiency, and healthy indoor air quality.

Homeowners need spray foam insulation in Canada and need to familiarize themselves with its cost, benefits and limitations for no other product can withstand the high humidity of our climate.  Spray foam insulation in Canada provides an air barrier/vapor barrier and thermal insulation in a single application.  Spray Foam insulation is made of billions of tiny plastic wrapped bubbles which are not subject to air movement or moisture drive, making it the very best insulation material for Canada cold climate on the market.  While more expensive to install, spray foam insulation results in lower utility bills, less structural damage over the life of the building, longer building life and a far lower overall ownership costs than fibrous products.  Be sure to ask how EcoLogicfoam insulation can meet your needs.

Tags : air quality, air tight, benifits, building envelope, moisture, R-value, renovating, spray foam insulation, thermal insulation
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Beautifully functional

All spray foam insulations certified for use in Canada come with a CCMC number.  When you seek a quote from a contractor ask him for the CCMC number of the product he intends to install.  With this information and the attached chart, you will know that the product is certified for use in residential homes in Canada. (Yes, there are companies who bring up cheap U.S. products and spray them for unsuspecting homeowners)

Spray Foam, a 3 in 1 product

When you buy spray foam insulation you are buying an air barrier, vapor barrier and thermal insulator in a single application and therefore it is valuable to start a comparison of the available products by looking for these numbers.  A quick look at the attached chart will outline some of the material properties of the various certified spray foams.

Spray Foam | Thermal Performance

The thermal performance of the spray foams can be found by looking at both the rows titled Foam Type and LTTR (Long term thermal resistance).  Type 2 foams are rated at a thermal resistance (R-value) of 6 per inch of depth, while type 1 foams are rated at an R-value of 5 per inch.  Polarfoam Soya and HeatLok Soya are the only Type 2 foams available in Canada.  Foam-lok, Certaspray and Walltite are all type 1 spray foams.  What this means is that if you are comparing quotes that discuss R-value, a type 1 installation of R20 is going to be 4 inches deep, while a type 2 installation of R20 need only be 3.33 inches to achieve the same performance.  Don’t be fooled by an apples to apples depth comparison.

The quality of certified Spray Foam products

The spray foam products compared here are all closed cell foams.  It is interesting to note under the row titled open cell content, just how high a percentage of open cell content some of these products have – between 7% and 8% for Foam-lok, certaspray and walltite!  This means that they will breathe more, are more susceptible to water absorption (shown near the bottom of the table) and explains the lower R-value of these products.

Vapor Permeance

Water vapor permeance is a related property with HeatLok soya and Polarfoam Soya outperforming the others.  This means that these products are less susceptible to vapor drive, form a stronger vapor barrier and protect your home better from rot, mold and mildew in our humid climates.

Flame spread ratings

The last property worth noting is the flame spread classification.  This is the materials propensity to support the spread of fire.  Once again, HeatLok and Polarfoam outperform all others and some significantly.

Choose the best for your home.

Disclaimer: EcoLogic Spray Foam installs Polarfoam Soya in Western Canada for our builder clients and residential homeowners.  We sought out the best spray foam product on the market, believe that we have it and think that you will too.  For more information and specific questions please contact us about our spray foam.

Tags : benifits, investment, renovating, spray foam insulation
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Details by spray foam insulation

Spray Foam Insulation problems, the details

Spray foam insulation is almost a fad.  It is costly and many would be contractors assume this means it is very profitable.  The result: there are lots of new spray foam companies in the market place.

Know your spray foam installer

While closed cell spray foam insulation itself is a fantastic product and provides unmatched air barrier, vapor barrier and thermal insulation in a single application, it is only as good as the installer who applied it, and here is where problems arise.

Only Established Spray Foam Installers need apply!

While apprentices under the supervision of tradesmen can do much of a homes construction, spray foam insulation must be applied by knowledgeable, skilled and experienced applicators that have an understanding of the science of thermal performance, an eye for detail and a willingness to take the time to install foam carefully and accurately.  Taking short cuts as the foam is sprayed can result in voids in the foam.  So much of this is about caring enough about the building science to get the details right the first time.  Spray foam is ‘hot’ and there are a lot of get-rich-quick types going into green building with little care for quality or integrity.

Question your installer

Many companies send employees to the job site without proper training and sometimes without certification.  When you are discussing your insulation with a contractor at the time of his quote, ask them for references, ask them for the CCMC number of his material, ask him if his company is in good standing with CUFCA (Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors Association) and then check it out yourself by contacting CUFCA.  On the day of your installation, be sure to ask your installer for his Certification card and if he has done a job like the one he is about to undertake for you.

Choose from recognized, professional contractors

There are several good spray foam installation companies in our area.  Most of them specialize in spray foam alone and have been in business for more than 4 years.  These companies started before spray foam became popular and have lasted through some ups and downs.

Ask your contractor to review his work with you

When you walk through your newly insulated home, look at the details and ask questions.  If the contractor is reputable he will want your approval of the job before he leaves the site so that he can address any concerns on the spot.  If you have found the right contractor he will not only take pride in his work but also eagerly invite your questions and concerns and be able to address them for you.

Find a professional spray foam installer

Properly applied spray foam insulation is going to save you money for years to come, is going to reduce your maintenance costs, improve your indoor air quality and make your home more comfortable so be sure that you look for and demand quality when you select a spray foam installer.

You may contact EcoLogic Spray Foam through our contact form or by calling 604 488-4009

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Comfort provided by spray foam

Spray Foam Insulation problems, Depth control

Spray foam insulation is perhaps the most significant new building product on the market.  Amidst all the hype of green materials, LEED certification points and environmentally friendly new products, spray foam insulation alone stands out as the biggest game changer in the push to build more efficient homes.  The results are home that consume 50% less energy to heat them, are far more comfortable and have better indoor air quality.

Spray foam and the Building Envelope

Properly applied, spray foam insulation creates a continuous building envelope with no gaps or cracks through which air and moisture can enter or escape, but problems arise when spray foam is not properly installed.

Spray Foam generates heat

When installed, spray foam is applied by mixing two highly reactive materials in an airstream as they leave a spray gun.  This reaction creates heat as it forms bubbles and rises to form foam.  This heat will escape as the foam cools and a good installation allows the foam to cool fairly evenly.

Properly installed foam is applied at a depth not greater than 2” deep.  This allows the foam to cool reasonably consistently from the outside, in.  When foam is installed at greater depths than this, it cools unevenly.  The interior core of the foam will remain hot long after the exterior has cooled.  This creates stress within the foam and can result in foam that pulls away from the wall or studs and even foam that cracks.  When this happens, it is not generally seen as a small shallow crack but a deep fissure to the core of the material.

A good spray foam installer won’t take short cuts

There are several reasons that a foam installer may apply a layer greater than 2”.  These reasons may include inexperience, but more likely are a result of commercial pressure to increase the yield of the material, which can be achieved by applying it in thicker layers.  If your contractor has under bid the job and wants to stretch the material he installs he can accomplish this by laying foam a little deeper.  This is contrary to the CAN/ULC 705.2 specification which details how foam is to be installed.

Some products are to be avoided

While not common, there have been a number of incidences in Eastern Canada with a product introduced this past year, which have resulted in house fires that have burned the structures to the ground.  This has resulted when a significant depth of a competitors foam product is installed at once and the trapped heat in the interior of the material cannot escape and eventually combusts.  This is not common and yet it also points out the importance of knowing what product is being sprayed.

While it is difficult to monitor your foam installation because the installation process requires WorkSafe safety gear be worn, hiring a reputable installer who can supply references is a good first step.

Please feel free to contact EcoLogic Spray foam to discuss any questions you may have.

Tags : building envelope, Questions
Posted in : Common Questions, Environment, R-value | Comments Off

Quality Insulation contractors bring value

Spray foam Insulation is a fantastic new insulating material and is catching on fast amongst insulation contractors and homeowners, but how do you decide who to have install it?

Choose an experienced foam insulation contractor over price alone.

There are a number of things that you can do to narrow your selection and determine who is best for your job. To start, be careful with new, inexperienced foam insulation contractors for spray foam is a complicated process and contractors new to the business can cause delays, messes and even hazards (fire) if they are not skilled at making foam.

Does your insulation contractor give you a good impression?

Second, check your gut. What is your first impression? Does your foam insulation contractor respond promptly, is he on time for your appointment, does he communicate well, does he answer your questions and is he knowledgeable? A contractor who is professional and well organized from the start is far more likely to follow through to completion in the same fashion than one who shows up late and doesn’t return calls for a couple days.

Is your spray foam insulation contractor certified?

In order to become a spray foam insulation contractors in Canada you must be certified. The Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors Association or CUFCA certifies almost all spray foam contractors in Canada.  Each contractor is given a certification number, as is each installer.

When you are seeking quotes from a prospective foam insulation contractor, ask him:

1. If he is certified
2. To see his certification card or for his certification number.

Does your foam insulation contractor use certified material?

In addition to this, spray foam products permitted in residential occupied space must also be certified. There are currently 4 products available in Western Canada that have CCMC certification. When your contractor comes to give you a quote ask him what the CCMC number of his material is and check this against the NRC website at:

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/irc/ccmc.html

In addition to this, verify the product CCMC number on the drums when your contractor shows up to install your foam – this way you’ll know that you are getting what you paid for.

Is your foam insulation contractor in good standing with the BBB?

Next, check the BBB to ensure your insulation contractor is in good standing and does not have unresolved complaints against him. While a complaint does not necessarily mean that your contractor should not be hired, how he handled that complaint will show you the character of the contractor you are proposing to hire.

Does WCB have any outstanding issues with your insulation contractor?

You also want to check with WorkSafeBC, WCB Manitoba or your local WCB website to get a clearance letter on your contractor before you hire him to protect yourself.  An example of where you can do this in BC is:

https://online.worksafebc.com/anonymous/employer%20clearance%20letter/search.asp

Spray foam insulation is truly worth the investment. In home comfort, energy savings, cleaner air, less dust, elimination of mold and mildew in your walls, and a quieter home, spray foam leads the way. With a little care and attention, you can choose a spray foam insulation contractor who will meet your expectations and provide a professional service to you and your home.

Tags : installer, spray foam insulation
Posted in : Common Questions, Environment | 7 Comments »

Keep your cool with Spray Foam Insulation

Suffering in the heat?  Look to your roof.

As Canadians, we generally think in terms of staying warm through the winter. Many of us see insulation as a key to that, and of course it is. How many of you have had trouble sleeping this past week in the searing heat? With rooms that will not cool down because of the heat sink effect created by traditionally insulated attics that take hours to cool, now may be a great time to point out how much cooler an insulated foam roof can be.

Insulate your roof deck with foam.

Spray foam can be applied to the underside of the roof deck because it is applied as a liquid and formed in place – it bonds with the substrate and will never settle or sag. In an application like this we create what is called a closed roof assembly. Rather than spraying the floor of the attic and allowing the attic space to heat up during the day, foam is applied to the roof deck which serves to enclose the attic into the conditioned space below.

Benefits of foamed roof deck

The advantages to doing this are several. First, heat is stopped at the building envelope (the roof) and never allowed to enter the interior space. In so doing it does not have a chance to become trapped in the attic above your bedrooms in the evening. The second advantage is that by sealing the building envelope, moisture and condensation (a winter problem) are eliminated as issues during the heating season. While the volume of air that is conditioned by a home is increased with a closed roof assembly, efficiency increases because foam does not breath – there is no air movement through it like there is with fiberglass and similar products.

Lower cost roof installations at EcoLogicFoam

The result: Cool summer bedrooms, warm winter homes, improved air quality, an end to mold as a result of air reaching the condensation point inside attic spaces, lower energy bills and more comfortable, livable homes. In fact the only disadvantage is the cost. Like all premium building solutions,foam is not a cheap alternative, however, give us a call at EcoLogic for we have some innovative solutions that cost a fraction of what our competitors do without compromising the end result.

Call 1-888-880-8420 today to discuss your attic, roof, and insulation needs.

Tags : benifits, efficiency, energy efficient, renovating, spray foam insulation, thermal insulation
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Home Energy Performance

Efficient Home

Efficient Windows

Block or diffuse direct sunlight entering through windows and sliding glass doors by installing sunscreens or a light window tint. You can also close the blinds or shades when the sunlight is strong. This will keep your house cooler, lower your electric bills and make your home more efficient.

Efficient Water use

Install a recirculating hot water pump. These devices are sold at most home improvement stores for about $175. and are relatively easy to install with basic plumbing skills. The purpose of this device is to reduce water consumption by pumping hot water to all hot water faucets in the house thus eliminating the need to run water until the hot water arrives. Essentially, this device provides near-instant hot water whenever your turn on the faucet for hot water, make your water use far more efficient.

Efficient refrigerator

Keep the coils clean on your refrigerator and air conditioner. On average, your fridge and air conditioner consume about 30% to 40% of your total electricity. If you keep these two well maintained, you may notice a drop in your electric bill. You can easily vacuum the accumulated dust and dirt coating the coils on the bottom of your refrigerator. Special brushes are also sold at most home improvement stores to make this job easier. Clean coils will make your refrigerator more efficient and use less energy. In addition, set the fridge and freezer at the manufacturer suggested setting. It doesn’t have to be set at the coldest setting. As for your air conditioner, have a professional inspect your air conditioner and clean the coils annually. This preventive maintenance keeps your air conditioner efficient, will save your money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs.

Efficient Thermostat

Install a digital programmable thermostat to automatically regulate the temperature in your house. Programming the thermostat to automatically turn on and off at certain times of the day can dramatically reduce your energy bills. Nowadays, most programmable thermostats start at $25.00.

Efficient Doors and window frames

Caulk and seal any visible cracks around doors and windows. Even the smallest cracks in the exterior of your house will allow outside air to penetrate to the inside or let conditioned air leak to the outside. Cracks such as these can be easily sealed with a weatherproofing caulk that is sold at most home improvement centers.

Efficient Televisions

If you have a plasma TV, only turn it on when you are watching it. Many people who leave their TV on while doing other things around the house don’t realize the amount of electricity they are wasting. Most (if not all) plasma TV’s consume a great deal of electricity. Leaving the plasma TV on when you aren’t watching it is like leaving the refrigerator door wide open while you are having dinner.

Efficient Appliainces

When buying new appliances, buy appliances with the Energy Star label.

Efficient computers

Use the power save option on your computers and monitors. The monitors consume more power than the computer.

Efficient Laundry

Use the washer, dryer and dishwasher in the evening – electricity is usually cheaper after 6:00pm

Efficient Light bulbs

Replace most of your bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Since these bulbs are still a little pricey, only install compact fluorescent bulbs in the light fixtures that get used most often, i.e. kitchen, family room, hallway, exterior lights.

Efficient Hot Water heater

Change the setting on your hot water heater twice a year. During the summer, set the temperature to a lower setting and then in the winter, raise the setting. This will use up less power to heat water in the tank.

EcoLogic Spray Foam believes in efficient energy use in our home and yours.

Tags : air tight, conduction, convection, efficiency, existing walls, savings
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At EcoLogic, we’re experts are in Creating Comfortable Homes.

Let’s Talk

If you’re like most folks, by the time you’re ready for your first house you’ve already become a home comfort expert. Because we’ve all lived in houses growing up, with comfortable rooms that people gathered in and uncomfortable rooms that folks just passed through.

Energy Efficient New Home

And all of us have visited and stayed at relatives and friends. We know a cold, drafty, clammy room when we’re in one! So we’re all home comfort experts, but not many of us know exactly how to build a house that will provide a warm, comfortable environment for our families and loved ones.

At Ecologic, our spray foam insulation technology replaces conventional insulation materials to provide you with more comfort at reduced energy levels. This advanced building technology works by addressing the three major causes of home discomfort: heat loss, air leakage and moisture. Ecologic’s foam technology attacks these three comfort challenges in multiple ways.

First, it is a superior insulation product. With an R-6 rating per inch of foam, it is a superior insulator to conventional fiberglass batts.

Secondly, because it is applied by spray, it gets into every nook and cranny between the inside and outside walls of your home. By doing so, it prevents the air leakage that conventional insulation allows, since cold air will travel around the edges of conventional insulation the way cold air will blow through the edges of an ill-fitting window.

Lastly, Ecologic’s spray foam is an approved vapor barrier, blocking not only moisture, but also pollutants, dust, odors and allergens. It provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are creating a healthy interior environment for your family.

What about affordability?

Ecologic’s spray foam insulation is a premium building product, like granite countertops or custom windows. It will add to the cost of building your home. For a typical mortgage on a new house, it will add perhaps $20 to $30 a month to your monthly mortgage payment. But it is still a money-saving bargain. How can that be? Because typically you can expect to use between 40% to 50% less heating energy by applying Ecologic’s spray foam insulation when your home is built.

The energy cost savings almost always exceed (and often far exceed) the increased mortgage cost. As for retrofitting an older house, the financial formula is not the same, but the payback will likely be around 4 to 5 years, after which you will enjoy a net cost saving every month. If the future were to bring unreasonable increases in the cost in energy, your foam insulation would serve to hedge you from those distressing increases.

Why the “Eco” in Ecologic?

At Ecologic, we’re proud that our technology is environmentally responsible. The foam is made from recycled polyurethane (think ‘chopped-up used milk bottles’) mixed with soya oil, a bio-oil free of petroleum. We spray it on using a ‘zero ozone depletion’ propellant that is safe for the atmosphere.

Tags : benifits, budget, Cost, energy efficient, new product, Questions, R-value, savings, thermal insulation
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