New York HVAC Insider News

Encountering Homes with Spray Foam Insulation? Here is What You Should Know.

Spray foam insulation has been increasing in popularity over the last several years. While initial costs are more expensive than traditional insulation, there can be significant long term energy savings for the homeowner. This is because spray foam is not only an effective insulator but also an effective air sealing agent. Sealing restricts air movement through the insulated area.

If air moves through insulation, the R-values are diminished. Air sealing also reduces the natural ventilation rate (or air leakage rate) further reducing heating and cooling loads.

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All sounds good, right? But air leakage dilutes the concentration levels of contaminants generated inside the home. Without it, dust, allergens, moisture, and other pollutants can build up to unhealthy and even dangerous levels. Therefore providing fresh air ventilation is especially important in spray foam houses. Cooking, showering, breathing, and other day-to-day activities of the home’s occupants generate a moisture load that needs to be removed. If the house is sealed tight with spray foam, it is much harder for this moisture to leave the house naturally. It builds up inside the home and can raise relative humidity to uncomfortable and even dangerous levels.

While most spray foam homes are required to have some form of mechanical ventilation (ventilation to ASHRAE 62.2 Standard is recommended) there seems to be a lot of questions on what is the best solution. The most common strategy being used throughout the country is an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) – but is this best solution for the hot humid climates? ERVs are a balanced ventilation system originally developed for northern climates. They bring air into the home and blow air out of the home. 

The ERV core transfers heat and moisture (energy) between the two air streams. But the energy transfer isn’t perfect. As a result, during typical summer conditions in a hot/humid climate, some additional moisture is added to the home when ventilating. With each additional air change, even more moisture is added. As moisture from the ventilation is combined with the internal moisture loads, RH can quickly climb out of control. To make matters worse, the air conditioner’s run time is reduced due to the spray foam’s effective thermal insulation, meaning less ability to remove moisture. The best solution for mechanical ventilation in hot humid climates is a whole house ventilating dehumidifier.

Ventilating whole house dehumidifiers are capable of bringing in filtered outside air, putting the house under a slight positive pressure and dehumidifying the air as necessary. In addition to dehumidifying the air brought in for ventilation the units also maintain interior humidity 24/7 independent of the air conditioning system. When considering a whole house ventilating dehumidifier, choose a supplier partner with the expertise to help select the proper equipment and provide installation guidelines for spray foam homes.

Consider an equipment provider that offers multiple sizes of dehumidifiers to ensure a good fit for the application, as well as the most energy efficient units – all which will provide the most value to your clients.

Joe Hlacacek is the Business Development Manager for Ultra-Aire, a leading manufacturer of whole house ventilating dehumidifiers that provide effective humidity control, air filtration and fresh air ventilation. Joe can provide your company with extensive training and support to help build your business. For more information, visit www.Ultra-AireContractor. com.

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