Why pay more to get less?

That's my 2 cents on spray in foam. I'll get in to why in a bit.

Blow-in-Blanket System / BIBS

While we do have a page about it on our regular website, I thought I should mention the Blow-in-Blanket System specifically in this blog - mainly because it's an insulation system that doesn't get the press it should, even though it's been around for well over 20 years. Everyone knows batt insulation, most people have heard of or seen wet spray cellulose and spray foam is the new (or at least the most actively marketed) kid on the block. So, what is this Blow-in-Blanket System?

(For the record, BIBS is the official and registered acronym, although I've never liked it.)

Anyway, BIBS is a blown-in fiberglass product that goes in behind netting that is stapled onto the face of the studs in a wall. Some good pics & info is on the official BIBS site here. The main advantage of BIBS is that it fills the cavity completely by going in and around all the easy to miss/mess up areas like pipes & wires in the wall. Plus, BIBS generally (depending upon the product used) has an R-value of R-15 in a 2x4 wall. It also goes in dry, so you can sheetrock immediately and BIBS doesn't settle - we have a display in our office that has been around since 1990 or so that hasn't moved at all.

That's the 2 minute spiel. I'll get into some product specific discussion & why installers are certified tomorrow.

Jeff

An excellent way to save money, if you qualify

The Wichita Eagle has a story today about how the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is launching a program to help people buy new and hopefully more energy efficient appliances. I would urge any one who uses this program to look carefully at the annual energy usage cards that are on new appliances - there can be a huge difference between similar models, even if both are EnergyStar certified.
Jeff

Certified Green Professional on staff

We are proud to announce that Paul Miller has become the first Certified Green Professional (CGP) in our company. For more information about what that means: go here.

Code is the Floor

I was recently at a seminar where Russ Rudy was describing current building practices. The short version of what he said was if we were to make a scale from 1 to 15 to describe the energy efficiency of our building practices, 15 would be a Zero Energy Home (see here) and 1 would be a code-built home.

All in all, it's a pretty accurate painting of where we are with common construction practices.

Getting Started with the 30% Tax Credit

With nothing in particular on my mind but wanting to get things started, I would recommend that anyone who reads this and owns a home go here before starting in on any home improvements.
It is important to note the caveat at the bottom of the page - not all EnergyStar products qualify for the 30% Tax Credit. For instance, the guideline for insulation is the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (2009 IECC), which breaks its recommendations down by Climate Zone. (I'll try to find a link for it.)

For example - a house in Wichita/South Central Kansas is in Climate Zone 4. According to the 2009 IECC, walls should be R-13, attics should be R-38 and floors should be R-19, where applicable. If your house isn't at these levels and you choose to add insulation up to these levels, you qualify for a 30% tax credit on the material costs of the project up to $1,500.

So, that's a great example of what we'll be talking about on this blog. If you have any suggestions about what you'd like to read about, send them on in & I'll try to get to them.

Jeff