Among the cutting edge green techniques chosen for the home was Icynene^®. Icynene Licensed Dealer, Torrey Building Systems, LLC, installed Icynene^® open cell spray foam insulation into the walls, floors, ceilings and attic of the Earthcraft / TecHome Showcase House. 100% water-blown and environmentally-friendly, Icynene^® expands100 times its initial volume in seconds to create a soft foam insulation and air barrier in one step. Icynene^® adheres to and integrates well with other building components to deliver improved airtightness levels for a healthy, efficient building envelope.

With its unique air-sealing ability, Icynene^® supports the four principles of the EarthCraft program:

1. Energy Efficiency
In the Earthcraft / TecHome Showcase House, Icynene^® works as an insulation and air barrier to keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Its ability to control airflow in the home allowed for rightsizing of the mechanical system which can save future homeowners up to 50% in heating and cooling costs.

2. Indoor Air Quality
By minimizing random air leakage, Icynene^® helps create an indoor environment without drafts while it reduces airborne sounds and the intrusion of outdoor allergens, odors and pollutants. Combined with proper mechanical ventilation, occupants of the home will be able to control the quality of air they breathe.

Icynene^® uses water as the only blowing agent and contains no ozone-depleting substances, PBDEs or any other brominated compounds. Because it does not off-gas, Icynene^® maintains its rated R-value and energy performance levels. Homeowners will enjoy a healthier, quieter and more energy efficient home today and for years to come.

3. Sustainable Material Use
A key goal of sustainable building is to reduce the amount of material used in construction and minimize the impact to the waste stream. Icynene^® provides a significant barrier to airflow without the need for labor-intensive sealing material. And, as an open-celled material, Icynene^® is easily compacted, dramatically reducing the waste volume in comparison to other insulation materials.

4. Durable Construction Methods
When applied to the underside of the roof deck (creating an unvented or conditioned attic assembly), Icynene^® prevents the ingress of wind blown moisture into the attic, which helps eliminate moisture damage to the insulation and ceiling materials. Icynene Inc. is one of the first insulation manufacturers to invest in third-party testing of its product's performance in an unvented conditioned attic assembly. Icynene^® is also one of the few insulation products that meet building code requirements for this type of application (Section 806.4, 2007 IRC).

A long-standing believer in Icynene^®, Carl Seville had this to say:

“After almost 30 years in residential renovation and construction, I have decided that I will only use spray foam insulation in any project I build. As a committed green builder, I firmly believe that using Icynene^® insulation to create conditioned attics and crawlspaces provides my clients with a healthy, comfortable, and efficient home. Icynene^® provides the required air sealing and insulation in a single application, eliminating much of the manual air sealing required with other products to achieve the same performance. In warmer climates such as Atlanta, building a sealed attic allows me to reduce the size of the HVAC system and install the much-desired recessed lights without worrying about air sealing and insulating around each one. I have Icynene^® in my personal home, and will do so again in my next house.”

For more information about Icynene^®-intalled projects, visit our Project Gallery.