Spray Foam Insulation Case Study:

ENERGY SAVINGS BY RIM JOIST APPLICATION OF
BASEMENT DOCTOR PLUS SPRAY FOAM

Background
 In April of 2007, construction was taking place on a 2,400 sq. ft. home in Kansas. Choosing cabinetry and carpeting proved to be the easy decisions, but when it came to the insulation of the home, the builder paid special attention to ensure an energy efficient home. As an additional selling feature to a prospective home buyer, this builder marketed the energy efficiency and cost savings associated with the efficiency of the home.

Problem
 Often times fiberglass batts are used as insulation material in residential construction. However, while fiberglass is a thermal barrier, it is not an air barrier. Stopping air infiltration is the best defense against energy loss. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that up to 40% of energy loss in a home can be contributed to air infiltration. Also, creating an air barrier becomes vitally important in a rim joist because without it, moist air from inside can filter out creating condensation at the rim joist. This condensation can eventually lead to mold and mildew problems.

Solution
 Basement Doctor Plus Spray Foam was used to seal and insulate the basement rim joist of the home. Because of its closed cell properties, Basement Doctor Plus Spray Foam creates both an air and vapor barrier at the rim joist. The home was tested, via blower door test, to verify the energy savings and the reduction of uncontrolled air infiltration. The results of this “case study” showed that a reduction in annual infiltration rate estimated at 11.4% was achieved in the house simply by applying Basement Doctor Plus Spray Foam in the rim joist locations. This reduction in air infiltration translated to an estimated annual cost savings of approximately 19.3% for heating and cooling, according to Hathmore Technologies, the certified HERS energy rater that performed the testing (test reference available upon request)

 The dramatic decrease in uncontrolled air infiltration that can be achieved with Basement Doctor Spray Foam was verified through the use of a “blower door” test, which is an EPA Energy Star recognized diagnostic method for measuring airtight-ness, and performed by a certified third-party home energy rater accredited by the U.S. Government. In this case study, the home was first tested with standard fiberglass insulation in the rim joist areas. After this initial blower door test was performed, Basement Doctor Plus two-component spray foam was applied in these rim joist areas at an average thickness of 3” (the cantilever floor bays were sealed by a “skim coat”, approximately 1”). The results, as described above, verify the reduction in unwanted air infiltration, which is equivalent to eliminating 36.8 sq. in. of holes in the building envelope!