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Old 04-12-2010, 10:28 AM
 
4 posts, read 11,715 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi all. I'm having a home built by a local builder and requested that the attic have both spray foam insulation and the traditional blown-in insulation. Maybe I watch too much HGTV/Holmes on Holmes but I want to make sure that my monthly power/gas bills remain as low as possible.

At this point I'm wondering whether or not to get the spray foam insulation in the walls in addition to the attic.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

In addition to the attic insulation, I have opted for an ERV (Carrier Performance Energy Recovery Ventilator), R-8 ductwork, and vinyl windows.
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Old 04-12-2010, 11:18 AM
 
Location: central Austin
7,228 posts, read 16,096,785 times
Reputation: 3915
You should go to one of Austin Energy's Green Build forums!

What about a radiant barrier?

I have a green built home and the low energy bills are great. Spray foam insulation didn't exist then, but I have batted and blown-in insulation in the attic, my house was built with 2 x 6 lumber (instead of 2x4) so I have six inches of insulation in the walls. Fabulous. Friends have spray foam insulation in their whole house, walls and attic.

Definitely insulate the walls but it doesn't have to spray foam. You are using an experienced green builder, right?
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Old 04-12-2010, 01:23 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,049,969 times
Reputation: 9478
Quote:
Originally Posted by smartypants1000 View Post
Hi all. I'm having a home built by a local builder and requested that the attic have both spray foam insulation and the traditional blown-in insulation. Maybe I watch too much HGTV/Holmes on Holmes but I want to make sure that my monthly power/gas bills remain as low as possible.

At this point I'm wondering whether or not to get the spray foam insulation in the walls in addition to the attic.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

In addition to the attic insulation, I have opted for an ERV (Carrier Performance Energy Recovery Ventilator), R-8 ductwork, and vinyl windows.
From everything you have described, the energy efficiency of your house should be excellent. Pay close attention to the moisture proofing and sealing of the gaps around windows, doors and wall penetrations as it is being built, they can add up to lots of energy and air leaks.

Every building material has its pro's and con's. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam insulation has excellent R-values and several other advantages, such as that it fills all of the voids, gaps and spaces in a wall cavity. It is also makes it harder to get at wiring or plumbing in the walls if modifications or repairs are needed, and it is more expensive, so it could take another 6-12 years to break even on your investment.

Most green-builders that I am familiar with, seem to feel that blown in cellulose insulation is the best compromise when all factors such as its recycled content are considered. After researching all of the pro's and con's for an addition I built, I settled on blown in cellulose for my house.

If you can afford the extra cost of Sprayed Polyurethane Foam insulation it will certainly pay itself back many times over the life of the house.
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Old 04-12-2010, 03:02 PM
 
4 posts, read 22,956 times
Reputation: 12
You are really saving yourself so much money you have no idea. Good job!
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Old 04-12-2010, 06:10 PM
 
4 posts, read 11,715 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by centralaustinite View Post
You should go to one of Austin Energy's Green Build forums!
Could you post a link to one of these forums? I'd definitely repost there!
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Old 04-12-2010, 06:46 PM
 
Location: central Austin
7,228 posts, read 16,096,785 times
Reputation: 3915
Quote:
Originally Posted by smartypants1000 View Post
Could you post a link to one of these forums? I'd definitely repost there!
Oh sorry, I meant the actual meetings that they hold, face-to-face, to learn about green building practices. I don't think they have anything on-line.

Here is the link to the Green by Design workshops, they hold them quarterly.

Green By Design Workshop
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