earth foam insulation & leed certification

The following are suggestions of how Earth Foam Insulation might be incorporated into a project in order to achieve LEED credits. This list is by no means exhaustive. Please consult with the LEED accreditation expert on your project to determine if Earth Foam Insulation can be used to gain additional LEED credits.

LEED Credit Category – Energy & Atmosphere
Prerequisite 2 – Minimum Energy Performance

Requires the building to comply with ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 (without amendments) or the local energy code, whichever is more stringent.

When Earth Foam Insulation is installed into your structure, it is similar to turning it into an Igloo® cooler, keeping conditioned air inside and unconditioned air outside. In fact, it insulates your structure so well you will actually require a smaller HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) unit in your structure. Therefore it will cost you less money every month to heat or cool your building. Earth Foam Insulation, when paired with other responsible building components, can help residential and commercial building owners save up to 50% on their monthly utility bills.

Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance

Requires a reduction in design energy cost compared to the energy cost budget.
Earth Foam Insulation can help achieve a reduction of up to 50% in energy consumption. We also allow you to downsize HVAC unit by around 30%

LEED Credit Category – Materials & Resources

Credit 2 – Construction Waste Management

Requires recycling and/or salvaging construction, demolition and land clearing waste.
Since Earth Foam Insulation is sprayed in by certified dealers who can apply exactly what is needed in each area there is very minimal waste. Earth Foam Insulation’s composition contributes a significantly lower amount of waste materials by weight, which can help a project divert a minimum of 50% of waste from the landfill.

Credit 5 – Local/Regional Materials

Requires use of building materials and products that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles of the project site. Our product is manufactured in Dubuque , IA

Credit 6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials

Requires use of rapidly renewable products and materials (made from plants harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter) for 5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project.

Since Earth Foam Insulation is manufactured with annually renewable soybean oil, it is classified as a rapidly renewable product. Depending on the size, cost, and amount of the project insulated Earth Foam Insulation can be a significant portion, or all of the required 5% rapidly renewable products and materials.

LEED Credit Category – Indoor Environmental Quality

Credit 7 – Thermal Comfort

Requires a thermally comfortable environment that supports the productivity and well being of building occupants.

Earth Foam Insulation can help a building comply with ASHRAE Standard 55-1992, Addenda 1995, for thermal comfort standards including humidity control within established ranges per climate zone because it eliminates random outside air infiltration and produces a tighter building envelope.

LEED Credit Category – Innovation & Design Process

Credit 1 – Innovation in Design

Provides design team and projects with an opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by the LEED Green Building Rating System.

Earth Foam Insulation’s superior performance characteristics and installation flexibility contribute to this credit in three ways. First, Earth Foam Insulation allows easy installation in areas that do not allow simple installation of conventional insulation products. Second, it is extremely effective at controlling sound, making Earth Foam buildings quieter than other structures. Finally, Earth Foam Insulation is guaranteed to perform to the stated specifications for the life of the structure.

The above are suggestions only. It is recommended that a complete review of the LEED Green Building Rating System be made prior to applying for the listed prerequisites and credits. The LEED System can be reviewed at www.usgbc.org.