Icynene Shows its True Color: Green
14 May 2007
Over the last three decades, total emissions of six principal air pollutants have decreased by 54%. Earth Day is a time to celebrate the progress we have made in creating a healthier environment and the construction industry has a lot to celebrate. The groundswell to 'build green' is well underway as a result of growing concerns with environmental and human health. One product that's making an impact on green building, while lessening the impact on the environment, is Icynene® soft-foam insulation / air barrier system. Icynene's contribution to improving air quality and conserving energy was recently recognized by Green Builder® magazine, a monthly trade publication mailed to National Home Builders' Association members.
At the 2006 National Green Building Conference held in Albuquerque, NM, the editors of Green Builder surveyed products on display and selected winners for their Best of Show awards program. Icynene came up a winner as an environmentally-friendly product that promotes green building and design, while helping homeowners and building owners consume less energy.
"We congratulate Icynene for stepping up to offer a green product that helps improve the lives and health of building occupants. Icynene is an innovative insulation product that contributes to a safe and healthy built environment," states John Wagner, editor-in-chief of the Green Builder magazine.
Icynene supports green building in five ways:
Efficient Material Use
Classified as an air barrier, Icynene creates a tighter building without the need for excess sealing material. Icynene alone can reduce airflow within the structure by as much as 93%. Constructing an airtight thermal envelope can be achieved in fewer steps and using less material.
Material Composition
Icynene is sprayed into walls, ceilings and attics without the use of ozone-depleting substances that can harm the quality of the indoor and outdoor air. Sprayed on as a liquid (using water as the blowing agent) and expanding to 100 times its initial volume, Icynene emits no harmful gases once cured.
Environmental Impact
In its cured form, Icynene does not emit harmful gases, whereas other insulation can continue to off-gas over time. Not only would these harmful emissions compromise indoor air quality, but they would also diminish the insulation's rated R-value. Icynene maintains its efficiency, with no loss of R-value, providing total thermal comfort and a healthy living environment today and for years to come. Selecting an insulation material that provides longevity will eliminate the need for re-installing additional material in the future, reducing the impact on the environment.
Indoor Air Quality
Icynene creates a protective air-seal to minimize the intrusion of outdoor allergens and pollutants. Combined with proper mechanical ventilation, occupants can control the quality of the indoor air they breathe. They are no longer subject to outdoor weather and ozone conditions like smog and humidity. And since air leakage accounts for 99% of moisture movement, minimizing airflow through the building is the most effective way to reduce the risk of moisture problems such as mold and mildew.
Energy Efficiency
Buildings insulated with Icynene cost less to heat and cool because the insulation works as an air barrier to keep the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Icynene's superior thermal performance helps reduce heating and cooling loads on mechanical equipment, helping homeowners and building owners conserve energy and save money.
