What are the environmental costs and benefits of using sprayed insulation products like Comfort Foam?
Malcolm Greeley, Evanston, IL Sprayed insulation materials are commonly used to fill spaces in unfinished walls, attics and floors. Comfort Foam from Foam Enterprises is sprayed insulation that forms closed cells, which means it becomes a nearly impermeable barrier. It is made from polyurethane, and it reduces heat transfer more effectively than many other types of insulation such as fiberglass, cellulose or open-cell spray products like Icynene (as measured by R-values). Foam Enterprises spokesperson Bill Amend touts the environmental benefits of his product. Insulating with closed-cell polyurethane significantly reduces the demand for burning fossil fuels to condition your home, he says. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 50 to 70 percent of the energy used in American homes is consumed by heating and cooling, and the agency lists insulation as an important way to reduce waste. However, many environmentalists do not recommend the product. Although chlorofluorocarbons (
