What are HFO spray foams, and why are they better?

New-generation spray foams use a hydro fluoro olefin (HFO)- type blowing agent. It has a low global warming potential (GWP) compared to the HFC (hydrofluorocarbons) blowing agents that have recently been phased out due to federal regulations. The HFO blowing agent has a GWP of 1, 80% lower than its predecessor, the HFC. The lower the GWP, the less ability a given gas has to warm the Earth compared to carbon dioxide (CO2) over the same period.

Closed-cell spray foam is manufactured on-site by combining isocyanate and resin. The resin contains a “blowing agent” that expands the mixture to create a foam with “closed cells.” Blowing agents are essential ingredients in spray foam insulation. They create tiny bubbles of trapped gas that slow the movement of heat, making foam a good insulator and air and vapor barrier.

Building “greener” has never been more important. HFO spray foams can be used in all structures to increase a building’s energy efficiency. Not only are the new generation foams HFC-free, but they reduce the amount of air leakage in buildings meaning less gas usage and lower energy bills.

Now that’s climate change in a good way!