JP Spray Foam

Another happy customer upgraded their van for thermal insulation and noise reduction!

The building science data is clear, SPF is the way to go! But builders still go with blow-in insulation. Why? Money! But that’s not saving money for the homeowner. Insulating with SPF costs more on the initial install but that added cost will pay for itself in 12-24 months of energy savings. Plus electric prices are trending up!
But you don’t have to pay for it all upfront, you are paying for it across a 30 year mortgage. Would you pay an extra $15 on your monthly mortgage to save $100+ monthly on your electric bill, have a more comfortable, clean, healthy house and add value to your home?
Even if you’re not building a custom home, insist on getting spray foam from your builder. Insulate right and build tight!

This time of year poses a unique challenge for your air conditioning system. It is a mild temperature but a high humidity level. Builders and HVAC contractors often blame the spray foam for humidity issues in a house but spray foam is a neutral material, it does not create humidity. It is the job of the air conditioner to remove the humidity from a home but oftentimes the air conditioner is not sized properly for the space.
Proper humidity levels in the home create a comfortable environment. A house with high humidity at 68 degrees will not feel comfortable but conversely a low humidity level at 73 degrees can still be comfortable. High humidity levels can also cause mold, bacteria growth, bad odors, and even damage furniture, carpet, wall paper, paint and other interior fixtures.
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to HVAC. One of the most likely causes for high humidity levels is short cycling. When your AC turns on it should run for a minimum of 15-20 minutes before cycling off. Any less is considered short cycling. When the AC is running the moist warm air is blown across cold coils in the air handler and the moisture condenses and the air is cooled and dried.
The solution.
Modern air conditioning units have multi-stage compressors and fans. A 4 ton unit with multi-stage technology can operate like a 2 ½ ton unit when it is cooler and the demand does not require all 4 tons of cooling. In the summer your AC will require its full capacity to maintain the desired temperature of your house but in the spring and fall it can operate at a lower level to still cool and dry the air in your house. If you are in the market for a new air conditioning system I highly recommend getting a multi-stage unit but that may be infeasible for some so my next suggestion is a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers come in a variety of flavors from a stand alone unit placed in a room to an addition in the HVAC unit operating in conjunction with your AC and requiring much less attention.
A highly experienced HVAC technician can help select the best solution for your specific needs and budget. Ask me for my recommendation for the best HVAC contractors in East Texas.
There is lots of misinformation about heating and cooling and insulation out there. I’m always happy to answer your questions and dispel the myths.

A great explanation for why R-Value is not a good indicator of insulation quality

Busting R-value insulation MYTHS R value is the standard by which all insulation products are typically measured in the US. In the metric system, the equivalent is RSI. Everyone involved in ...