Every homeowner wants an energy efficient home, but did you know that you can start your energy saving efforts at the foundation level? It’s true; you can improve the energy efficiency of your home through your foundation. Depending on the type of foundation your home has, there are steps you can take to reduce cold transfer from your foundation to the floors and walls of your home no matter how old your house is, thereby saving on your home heating bills. Not only that, but you can make your home “green” through the use of eco-friendly building materials.
When used in tandem with other building materials such as concrete, builders today are using plastic materials both for their durability as well as the increased energy efficiency they offer when building foundations. Homes built using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are helping homeowners save big on their annual energy bills, according to the Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA). Structural insulated panels can be made with an expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam core laminated to sheets of high-strength oriented strand board. Builders are discovering that they can reduce the size of heating and cooling equipment as structural insulated panels create a tighter building envelope than conventional insulation. Even better, SIPs help keep energy costs down year after year for as long as you own your home. This can result in consistent energy savings of up to 50 percent.
Structural Insulated Panels are constructed to provide buildings with superior wind and seismic resistance, soundproofing, and snow loading. According to the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), SIPs can use approximately 35 percent less raw lumber in home construction by eliminating a large portion of conventional wood framing, thereby generating less manufacturing and construction waste. When compared to more traditional construction methods, homes built using SIPs also take less time to build, which saves on time and construction costs.
The use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in insulated concrete forms (ICFs) can not only help homeowners lower their energy bills, but can also decrease noise by as much as two-thirds when compared to ordinary frame walls with conventional insulation. Add to that the increased ease of construction, design flexibility, and reduction in lumber, and you can see why more and more people are “going green” and choosing to build with these innovative, eco-friendly, budget friendly materials. When used in combination with concrete walls, homeowners can achieve a 25 to 50 percent energy savings over homes built using traditional methods, according to the Insulating Concrete Form Association.
There are other types of insulation that can also help reduce your energy usage and save you money. No matter what type of insulation is used, insulating your foundation is a great way to literally add a layer of protection to your home, and keep your loved ones warm and cozy while saving you money on your energy bills. Whether your family home rests on a concrete slab, crawlspace, or pier and beam foundation, taking the extra step of investing in the insulation of your foundation is a long-term cost saving measure worthy of your consideration.
Why Us?
We offer Dallas homeowners precise inspections to pinpoint any foundation issues before they become major problems. Our easy payment and financing options, as well as our transferable lifetime warranties, help give you peace of mind that you’re getting the best possible foundation repair. At Advanced Foundation Repair, our Advanced Pro-Lift Technology will professionally correct your foundation problems. For the best in quality foundation repair and outstanding customer service, depend on Advanced Foundation Repair in Dallas.