In this age of climate change and global warming, we must all do our part at reducing fossil fuel emissions.  40 % of all the energy consumed in North America is used to heat and cool our buildings.  That staggering number is partly because traditional building insulation methods are now known to be less than effective.  Unfortunately, building codes have not yet been changed to require the widespread use of energy efficient insulation products.  It is still common to insulate buildings with man made fiber based materials, even though they are known to result in poor thermal performance, leaky and drafty buildings, moisture intrusion and mold issues.

Georgian Insulation Systems specializes in the installation of energy efficient insulation products that are made from renewable resources and recycled materials.  We have done much research in the marketplace to determine the best products available, in our goal of reducing green house gas emissions – One building at a time.

Our energy efficient products have been shown to reduce energy consumption in excess of 50 % over traditional insulation methods. The biggest drain on the energy efficiency of a building is caused by air leakage.  This air leakage also allows heat to escape in the winter and conditioned air to escape in the summer. Typically modern buildings are wrapped with an air barrier system to help reduce this air infiltration problem.  However, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to seal all air leaks using a wrap system.

Furthermore, the man made fiber based insulations allow the movement of air through the material resulting in convective heat loss.  The vertical movement of air inside a wall cavity is known as the “Chimney effect”. As warm moist air rises within the cavity, cool dry air is drawn in from outside.  This continual cycle results in poor energy efficiency and a suitable climate for mold to develop within the wall cavity.   

Compounding the problem even further, is the use of vapour barriers.  Vapour barriers are typically installed on the interior or the warm side of the building.  The theory is that warm moist air inside the building, is prevented from meeting the cool dry air that is infiltrating from outside.  When warm moist air and cool dry air meet, the result is condensation.  The problem in our climate is that for half of the year the vapour barrier is on the wrong side. 

In the summer months we typically have cool dry air conditioned air inside and hot moist air outside.  The direction of air flow is now reversed.  Now moist warm air is trying to infiltrate the building, it meets the vapour barrier on the inside of the building and causes condensation within the wall cavity. 

The typical method of insulating buildings with fiber based materials, interior vapour barriers and exterior building wraps, is now proving to be an energy drain, a perfect habitat for mold and completely ineffective.

Building science is now indicating that the alternative way to insulate and seal a building is with an energy efficient material that insulates, prevents air leakage and moisture drive, all in one application.  The best material to achieve this goal is Sprayed Polyurethane foam.

In recent years the technology of spray foam insulation has changed dramatically. Georgian Insulation Systems has selected the best spray foam product available, PolarFoam Soya.  Polar Foam Soya is made from recycled plastics and blended with vegetable (soya) oil.  The result is an outstanding, safe, insulation product that is recognized as an air barrier, vapour barrier and has an R value of R6.5 per inch.  In one application your home or commercial building can be insulated and sealed.

Man made fiber based materials have been in use for over 75 years, for most of that time it was one of the best insulation options available.  The development of these fiber based materials, allowed home owners and builders a fairly inexpensive method of insulating new and existing homes.  However, today a plethora of research has been done and we now know that far superior insulating methods are available.

Today many consumers are realizing the shortcomings of man made fiber materials and are instead opting for an energy efficient alternative. The issues of global warming affect us all. However, we can all do our small part in reducing the impact we are having on the planet, at the same time as saving money on energy costs in your home or commercial building