Last week, I had the chance to talk to attendees at the Green California Summit about the state’s energy goals and how the state can achieve them. Obviously, this is a big task. But, Californians – from policy-makers to regulators to citizens concerned about the future – want to do their part.
A pattern quickly emerged. People want to be a part of reducing the amount of energy wasted in California but that they didn’t think there was anything that one person could do to make an impact.
Lucky, there are actions many of us can take – no matter where we live – to lower our energy use and costs.
For example, Californians who have installed spray polyurethane foam (SPF) in their homes have discovered that one small change has big effects.
They know that SPF can substantially reduce energy needs and costs for both residential and commercial buildings. Many new homes and offices throughout the state can lower their energy use and costs by insulating and air sealing with SPF insulation.
The facts below show exactly the effects that SPF can have in California – for the state’s homeowners and the state’s energy efficiency goals.
California specific spray polyurethane foam facts:
- Electricity prices in California are among the top 10 highest in the nation.
- Heating and cooling costs account for 45% of the average energy bill for California households.
- SPF can result in $900 savings per year on single-family household heating and cooling costs.
- For homeowners: In 2013, an estimated 10% of the 36,000 single-family homes built in California used SPF. The resulting energy savings can add up to $3.3 million each year.
- For building owners: SPF used on a one-story building roof in California could save the building owner more than $11,000 per year.
- For the environment: These energy savings mean homes insulated with SPF could reduce 800,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. This is the equivalent of removing 2,700 cars from California’s roads each year.
Savings vary. Find out why in the seller’s fact sheet on R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power.
