Home and Auto Is foam insulation worth the cost?

MTG#10 · 05-23-2018, 05:56 PM

I just purchased a new home that is more than double the sq footage of my current. One of the things the inspector noted was my attic insulation was a little under the recommended amount for the location its in. My mortgage is already going to be $300/month more than I'm currently paying and since the house is so much bigger obviously the electric will be a lot higher as well.

I have already gone through the entire house and changed all bulbs to LED. Ive checked all doors and windows and they all have good seals. My next step is to replace the loose insulation in the attic with foam. Or keep it and have the top of the attic sealed with foam, whichever would work best.

Has anyone had this done to an existing home and if so how much did it cost? Was the utility savings noticeable and worth it?

kccrow · 05-23-2018, 06:30 PM

Company I work for builds modular homes (not the same as manufactured/mobile)... We rarely use spray foam in any application. Usually build with 12" energy heel trusses and R-39 in the attic. If you don't have energy heels, just make sure the ends are as well insulated as you can get them.

You're talking about the roof, but you probably don't know the exact condition of your walls either. I'd highly recommend first getting a blower door test done to see where you are leaking.

I'd use the test results and focus on a better envelope by getting proper exterior air tightness/sealing.

Once you know you're airtight, then you can focus your efforts. You may find you need to add rigid insulation to the exterior walls as well.

If you are looking to have a well insulated home, you should install a good air exchange system with a heat recovery ventilator, etc because not only will it improve the air quality, it will help with heating and cooling costs.

If you do insist on spray foam, it can be better provided those steps are performed above. I say "can be," because spray foam installers don't always fill every crevice either and an air gap is an air gap. You have to be well-sealed one way or the other.

You'll probably spend 3-4 times as much on the insulation, but ROI in modern applications is much better at around 5 years. If there were any place I'd absolutely consider spray foam personally, it is in the attic.

Dante84 · 05-23-2018, 06:41 PM

I sell new homes and condos that use spray foam insulation and solar panels.

If done right (thick walls, on the rafters in the attic), your home will act like a cooler.

2000 sq ft home has ~ $20 electric bill... in Austin Tx which is hot as hell.

ThaVirus · 05-23-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

I sell new homes and condos that use spray foam insulation and solar panels.

If done right (thick walls, on the rafters in the attic), your home will act like a cooler.

2000 sq ft home has ~ $20 electric bill... in Austin Tx which is hot as hell.

Tell me more..

I wonder if that application would have the same effect in a more humid environment, say Florida?

kccrow · 05-23-2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

I sell new homes and condos that use spray foam insulation and solar panels.

If done right (thick walls, on the rafters in the attic), your home will act like a cooler.

2000 sq ft home has ~ $20 electric bill... in Austin Tx which is hot as hell.

50% of doing it right has absolutely nothing to do with the insulation itself and much more to do with the prep in proper sealing. You get the benefit, like me, of having a new home to work with where everything can be sealed, checked, sealed in missed areas, then sprayd. He isn't getting that benefit in an old home just by spraying some foam upstairs, but he can get closer if he takes the proper steps.

BWillie · 05-27-2018, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

I sell new homes and condos that use spray foam insulation and solar panels.

If done right (thick walls, on the rafters in the attic), your home will act like a cooler.

2000 sq ft home has ~ $20 electric bill... in Austin Tx which is hot as hell.

Someone please help. The two houses that I pay utilities on get to $450 and $410 in July. They are just average 4 and 3 bedroom Johnson County houses 200k - 300k. Its eating me alive. One is 1984 and other is 2001 construction. They must be horribly insulated, only thing I can think of.

Who is good, efficient & cost effective around my parts?

FlaChief58 · 05-27-2018, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Someone please help. The two houses that I pay utilities on get to $450 and $410 in July. They are just average 4 and 3 bedroom Johnson County houses 200k - 300k. Its eating me alive. One is 1984 and other is 2001 construction. They must be horribly insulated, only thing I can think of.

Who is good, efficient & cost effective around my parts?

Windows, insulation and new energy efficient HVAC may be pricey up front, but will save you $$ in the long run

kccrow · 05-28-2018, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Someone please help. The two houses that I pay utilities on get to $450 and $410 in July. They are just average 4 and 3 bedroom Johnson County houses 200k - 300k. Its eating me alive. One is 1984 and other is 2001 construction. They must be horribly insulated, only thing I can think of.

Who is good, efficient & cost effective around my parts?

Get a blower door test done. Don't throw money at maybe's.

Molitoth · 05-28-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Someone please help. The two houses that I pay utilities on get to $450 and $410 in July. They are just average 4 and 3 bedroom Johnson County houses 200k - 300k. Its eating me alive. One is 1984 and other is 2001 construction. They must be horribly insulated, only thing I can think of.

Who is good, efficient & cost effective around my parts?

Insulation is a major area that builders can cost cut without it being noticeable to the buyer, and rightfully so I suppose because electric bills are not their problem after the house is sold.

kccrow · 05-28-2018, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Insulation is a major area that builders can cost cut without it being noticeable to the buyer, and rightfully so I suppose because electric bills are not their problem after the house is sold.

Not necessarily just cost-cut, because they still have to build it to code, but I get what you're saying. They aren't going to go above and beyond code unless you get it in the contract.

**Dunit35** · 05-23-2018, 07:03 PM

I just had 8” of insulation added in our attic last week. 2100sq ft home cost us $1250. It wasn’t spray foam though. It’s some kind of cotton candy type material.

MTG#10 · 05-23-2018, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunit35

I just had 8” of insulation added in our attic last week. 2100sq ft home cost us $1250. It wasn’t spray foam though. It’s some kind of cotton candy type material.

My house is close to yours, a little over 2300 sq ft. If you'd be willing I'd love to hear how much (if any) you notice in your utility bill the next couple months.

**Dunit35** · 05-23-2018, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

My house is close to yours, a little over 2300 sq ft. If you'd be willing I'd love to hear how much (if any) you notice in your utility bill the next couple months.

It had 2” of old insulation in it when we bought it. Unfortunately, we have only been in this house since April 1st so won’t be able to compare previous months.

**ptlyon** · 05-24-2018, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunit35

It had 2” of old insulation in it when we bought it. Unfortunately, we have only been in this house since April 1st so won’t be able to compare previous months.

You can get that information from your electric company. What you won't know however is how they kept their thermostat as a comparison.

**Dunit35** · 05-24-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

You can get that information from your electric company. What you won't know however is how they kept their thermostat as a comparison.

The house sat vacant for two years so I’m sure it’s all jacked up.

Installer did say I’d save a few dollars a month but nothing drastic.

05-23-2018, 05:56 PM	Topic Starter
MTG#10 Mammoth penis Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield Casino cash: $7474386	Is foam insulation worth the cost? I just purchased a new home that is more than double the sq footage of my current. One of the things the inspector noted was my attic insulation was a little under the recommended amount for the location its in. My mortgage is already going to be $300/month more than I'm currently paying and since the house is so much bigger obviously the electric will be a lot higher as well. I have already gone through the entire house and changed all bulbs to LED. Ive checked all doors and windows and they all have good seals. My next step is to replace the loose insulation in the attic with foam. Or keep it and have the top of the attic sealed with foam, whichever would work best. Has anyone had this done to an existing home and if so how much did it cost? Was the utility savings noticeable and worth it?
Posts: 11,430

05-23-2018, 06:30 PM	#2
kccrow MVP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $3187078	Company I work for builds modular homes (not the same as manufactured/mobile)... We rarely use spray foam in any application. Usually build with 12" energy heel trusses and R-39 in the attic. If you don't have energy heels, just make sure the ends are as well insulated as you can get them. You're talking about the roof, but you probably don't know the exact condition of your walls either. I'd highly recommend first getting a blower door test done to see where you are leaking. I'd use the test results and focus on a better envelope by getting proper exterior air tightness/sealing. Once you know you're airtight, then you can focus your efforts. You may find you need to add rigid insulation to the exterior walls as well. If you are looking to have a well insulated home, you should install a good air exchange system with a heat recovery ventilator, etc because not only will it improve the air quality, it will help with heating and cooling costs. If you do insist on spray foam, it can be better provided those steps are performed above. I say "can be," because spray foam installers don't always fill every crevice either and an air gap is an air gap. You have to be well-sealed one way or the other. You'll probably spend 3-4 times as much on the insulation, but ROI in modern applications is much better at around 5 years. If there were any place I'd absolutely consider spray foam personally, it is in the attic.
Posts: 12,664

05-23-2018, 06:41 PM	#3
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $1731996 VARSITY	I sell new homes and condos that use spray foam insulation and solar panels. If done right (thick walls, on the rafters in the attic), your home will act like a cooler. 2000 sq ft home has ~ $20 electric bill... in Austin Tx which is hot as hell.
Posts: 19,747

05-23-2018, 07:03 PM	#11
Dunit35 Keepin it Real Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oklahoma Casino cash: $1487045	I just had 8” of insulation added in our attic last week. 2100sq ft home cost us $1250. It wasn’t spray foam though. It’s some kind of cotton candy type material.
Posts: 10,489