Florida’s Climate Challenges
As we all know, especially in the middle of August, our Florida climate is hot and humid year-round, with an average relative humidity of 74% (hello frizzy hair!). This makes air conditioning a necessity. In fact, 27% of a Florida home’s energy use is for air conditioning—over four times the national average!
That’s why your home needs insulation. Without proper insulation and air sealing, your home’s valuable cool air escapes while unwanted hot, humid air seeps in, making your A/C unit work double overtime to keep you and your family comfortable. Installing the right type of insulation is crucial for lowering your heating and cooling bills and maintaining your home’s indoor comfort. And giving your poor AC unit a much-needed break!
One popular insulation choice is spray foam insulation or spray polyurethane foam (SPF). Recognized by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as a highly effective insulation and air barrier, the beauty of spray foam lies in its unique dual power of insulating and sealing air leaks at the same time.
What is Spray Foam Insulation?
Unlike traditional insulation materials, spray foam expands upon installation to fill cracks and small crevices throughout your home, creating both insulation and an air barrier. It’s a highly effective building material for reducing air leakage and improving energy efficiency. Applied on-site with specialized equipment, the foam expands quickly to harden into a seamless insulation and air sealing layer that keeps cool air in and hot air out.
Types of Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is available in two types: open cell spray foam insulation and closed cell foam insulation.
- Open Cell Spray Foam:
- Is lightweight and expands significantly
- Has an R-value of R-3.5 to R-3.8 per inch
- Offers excellent soundproofing properties
- It isn’t a vapor barrier and can absorb moisture in humid environments
- Closed Cell Spray Foam:
- It has a higher R-value of R-6 to R-7 per inch
- Adds structural strength
- Is water-resistant and FEMA-approved for flood resistance
- More dense than open cell spray foam
Why Florida Homes Need Spray Foam Insulation
The benefits of spray foam insulation go beyond mere temperature control. It helps with:
- Moisture Control & Mold Prevention:
- Spray foam blocks humid air, reducing condensation and mold growth.
- Energy Efficiency & Lower A/C Costs:
- Reduce your energy bills by an average of up to 15%!
- Structural Strength for Hurricane Resistance:
- Closed cell spray foam increases roof wind resistance by 2.6 times.
- Soundproofing Benefits:
- Reduces noise from busy streets and commercial areas.
Cost vs. Long-Term Savings
While installing spray foam has a higher upfront cost than other installing other insulation materials, it provides significant energy savings over time. Its lifespan is much longer than other types of insulation and it doesn’t need to be replaced if it gets wet, saving you money on replacements and repairs.
Additionally, local and federal incentives make installing spray foam even more affordable, such as the:
- Tallahassee Ceiling Insulation Grant: Covers 80-100% of installation costs.
- Federal Tax Credit: Covers 30% of costs (up to $1,200 annually).
Choose Spray Foam from Allweather Insulation
With its ability to fill cracks, block moisture, strengthen structures, and improve comfort and energy efficiency, spray foam is a smart investment for your Tallahassee home or commercial building.
At Allweather Insulation, we offer both open cell and closed cell spray foam solutions to meet your home or business’ insulating and air sealing needs. You can count on our expert team for the finest installation and service. Contact us today to learn more about spray foam insulation and schedule your free estimate.
References
- U.S. Department of Energy. “Sprayed-Foam and Foamed-In-Place Insulation – Types of Insulation.” Energy Saver – Energy.gov, U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. energy.gov
- U.S. Department of Energy. “Types of Foam Insulation.” Energy Saver – Energy.gov, U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. energy.gov
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). “Why Seal and Insulate?” energystar.gov, EPA, n.d. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. energystar.gov
- My Florida Home Energy (Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services). “Home Energy: Basics.” MyFloridaHomeEnergy.com, updated June 2015. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. myfloridahomeenergy.com
- Duncan, Laura. “Was Your Power Out? Check Indoor Humidity.” UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, University of Florida, 4 Oct. 2022. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. blogs.ifas.ufl.edu
- Environmental Protection Agency. “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.” EPA.gov, U.S. EPA, updated 2012. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. epa.gov
- Accufoam. “Hurricane Resistance with Spray Foam Insulation.” Accufoam.com (Spray Foam Manufacturer Blog), n.d. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. accufoam.com
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “Energy Efficiency – Florida Green Lodging Best Management Practice.” floridadep.gov, 2020. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. floridadep.gov
- City of Tallahassee Utilities. “Ceiling Insulation Grant.” Talgov.com, City of Tallahassee, n.d. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. talgov.com
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). “Insulation Tax Credit.” energystar.gov, EPA, updated 2023. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025. energystar.gov
