Thermosaver

The Benefits

2011-01-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

Better Air Quality

Improving indoor air quality is a goal of many new home buyers, especially those suffering from allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems. ThermoSaver offers you the ability to completely seal the building envelope. By eliminating random air leakage, the penetration of dust, allergens and pollutants can be significantly reduced. It allows you to develop a controlled indoor environment so you can design your heating and cooling equipment to maximize air quality. Fresher air ensures a better night’s sleep and you won’t have to open your windows to achieve it. Humidity can be better controlled so you can eliminate the health concerns about mold and mildew. Design your home properly using ThermoSaver System, and you’ll feel the difference. You’ll enjoy a healthier, more comfortable home for years to come.

A Quieter Home

ThermoSaver’s unique air sealing qualities will also have a significant effect on reducing the air borne sound penetrating your home. It’s a real advantage if you live near a busy street or an airport ThermoSaver is also ideal for soundproofing interior walls in your entertainment room and washrooms or around plumbing stacks to reduce the sound of water rushing to drainage below.

A Healthy Solution

Thermosaver® is recommended for individuals who are chemically sensitive. It contains no formaldehyde and does not emit any detectable emissions after you move into your new home. It uses no VOC (Volatile Organic Chemicals) which are common in other foams and harmful to our environment.

Better Insulation

Offers a higher R-value

Comparison of Generic Insulation Materials
	Fiberglass Batts	Cellulose	2 pound Closed Cell	1/2 pound Open Cell
Perfect fit every time	No	No	Yes	Yes
Controls air leakage	No	No	Totally	Reduces
Permits air convection inside walls	Yes	Yes	Totally	Reduces
Airborne moisture in walls dramatically reduced	No	No	Yes	Reduces
Water damage reduces performance	Yes	Yes	No	Reduces
Will wick and absorb water	Yes	Yes	No	Reduces
Contains no formaldehyde	No	No	No	No
Doesn’t sag or settle over time in any application	Yes	Yes	No	No
Class 1 fire rated	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Supports mold growth	Yes	Yes	No	Reduces
Performance declines with time	Yes	Yes	No	No
Meets Energy Star requirements	Maybe	Maybe	Yes	Yes
Used in American Lung Association model homes	No	No	Yes	Yes
R factor	3.5	3.5	6.7 - 7.2	3.5

Understanding R-Value

2011-01-06T09:51:00.001-08:00

R-Value has long been part of the building and construction industry as the measure of thermal performance of a structure. It has been a long-held belief that higher R-Value is the same as more efficient building insulation. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) has changed some of the most common beliefs associated with R-Value. There are many places online that discuss the R-Value “Myth” or “Fairy Tale”. Before talking about the “Myth” and “Fairy Tale” argument given by some, Thermosaver would like to give brief definitions of two important terms:

Conduction: transfer of thermal energy between neighboring molecules in a solid substance such as insulation.

Convection: transfer of air molecules through insulation and ultimately the building envelope.

R-Value is a measure of a material’s resistance to heat transfer. The R-Value test performed under the guidelines of ASTM C518 takes into account the resistance of all three heat transfer mechanisms: conduction, convection and radiation; however, convection is given only minor consideration. Unwanted convection through the building envelope is the biggest contributor to energy loss.

Conduction typically accounts for 20% of a building’s heat loss, while convection accounts for up to 80% of the energy loss depending on the quality of construction. Any convective loops inside the insulation material are taken into consideration by the R-value test method, but air leakage through the entire composite building envelope is not considered at all. Closed cell spray foam at ¼” can stop 99% of heat loss by convection and at 3″ will prevent 95% of heat loss by conduction. Obviously, the same holds true for an air-conditioned structure.

Commonly Asked Questions and Concerns

Questions about R-Value are some of the most common concerns of home owners and builders. To help contractors and home owners alike, Thermosaver has compiled a short collection of Common Questions and Answers:

“The higher the R-Value the better, correct?”
- Yes, higher R-Value in your home or building is somewhat better; however, it should not be overrated at all.
- SPF’ ( spray foam insulation) ability to create an air-tight seal for your home or building is the most important factor in creating an energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy space. About 80% of the energy loss of your home or building is caused by unwanted and uncontrolled air flow through the walls, ceilings and floors.
“What is the R-Value of your product?”
- R-Values vary by manufacturer.
- True Closed cell SPF offers higher R-Values per inch than conventional insulating alternatives.
- Most importantly, only spray foam provides total air tightness. As a matter of fact, just a little more than 2 inches (5 cm) of closed-cell foam provides a vapor barrier. No other insulation system can provide that! When considering foam, the air-tightness alone should be a compelling reason to insulate with SPF.

Besides home owners, even professionals like builders and architects often have not thought through R-value vs. air leakage.

Thermosaver

2011-01-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new Thermosaver blog! Here we will be covering the facts about Thermosaver's services, the process and the benefits TO YOU!

Please share your thoughts, questions and comments.