Insulation is Not Enough Improve energy efficiency by up to 40%
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that up to 40 percent of the cost of heating and cooling a home is lost to uncontrolled air leakage.
When air leaves the house, it takes moisture and pollutants along for the ride, contributing to premature deterioration, ice damming, mold and mildew and poor indoor air quality. When unconditioned air enters the home, it increases thermal discomfort and makes the indoor environment hard to control.
Keep conditioned air inside where it belongs
Continuous air barrier systems improve energy efficiency by keeping conditioned air inside the house where it belongs. By controlling air movement with planned ventilation, you'll get a reduction in moisture, condensation, mold and mildew.
Homes built to the American Lung Association® Health House® guidelines are constructed airtight to improve energy efficiency and prevent unplanned moisture movement.
The Tax Credit for Home Builders expires on December 31, 2011.
Home builders are eligible for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings has to come from building envelope improvements. This credit also applies to contractors of manufactured homes conforming to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.
There is also a $1,000 tax credit to the producer of a new manufactured home achieving 30% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC and supplements (at least 1/3 of the savings had to come from building envelope improvements), or a manufactured home meeting the ENERGY STAR requirements.
Please note that, with the exception of the tax credit for an ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured home, these tax credits were not directly linked to ENERGY STAR. Therefore, a builder of an ENERGY STAR qualified home may be eligible for a tax credit but it is not guaranteed.
These tax credits apply to new homes located in the United States whose construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005 and that are acquired from the eligible contractor for use as a residence from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2011.
COMFORT FOAM® insulation and air barrier systems are accepted by all major building codes, including the International Code Council encompassing both commercial and residential applications. Accredited third-party testing of closed-cell SPF systems using ASTM E283-(04) proves that the insulation systems are a Building Code-recognized air barrier material.
When air leaves the house, it takes moisture and pollutants along for the ride, contributing to premature deterioration, ice damming, mold and mildew and poor indoor air quality. When unconditioned air enters the home, it increases thermal discomfort and makes the indoor environment hard to control.
