Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Spray Foam Insulation

For instance, a single-family home that uses spray foam insulation for its ductwork in an unvented attic can save, on average, 5,638 kWh per year compared to a similar home with vented attic insulation. This saves about 1,556 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, which is equivalent to reducing a car’s emissions by 33% annually.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 report, there were 141.2 million housing units in the U.S., with around 115 million being single-family homes. If each of these homes were insulated and air sealed with spray foam instead of other materials, the potential energy savings could approximate 648.37 billion kWh annually. This would lead to a significant cut in CO2 emissions, about 178.94 billion kg annually, equivalent to taking nearly 39 million cars off the road.

Research suggests that the environmental payback period for spray foam insulation can be as short as eight years, compared to other insulation types, with an effective lifespan of 75 years. During this time, spray foam insulation continues to surpass other products in performance, consistently saving energy and reducing GHG emissions.

Imagine applying these savings across all residential and commercial properties. The potential for energy conservation and GHG reduction becomes even more substantial, highlighting the transformative impact of spray foam insulation on environmental sustainability.