As the government looks to increase the number of heat pumps installed throughout the country, elected officials should look at all ways to strengthen the building envelope by promoting innovate building materials, such as spray foam insulation.
The White House, half of the country’s governors, and the U.S. Climate Alliance (USCA) recently pledged to increase the number of heat pumps installed in American homes to 20 million by 2030, quadrupling the current pace of installation.
Heat pumps, which use electricity to heat and cool a building, are more efficient than gas-powered furnaces, even in the coldest climates. As such, these appliances are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), with some states providing additional subsidies.
To further increase energy efficiency in any building, elected officials should look at ways to improve the building envelope for both homes and small businesses. It’s imperative to consider how the buildings in our communities are insulated. While many people don’t often think about insulation, it’s one of the most important aspects of the energy efficiency discussion.
One way to ensure that energy isn’t wasted when it’s delivered to its destination is by installing spray foam insulation.
In addition to the incentives available for purchasing heat pumps, Congress has incentivized upgrading residential insulation via the 25C tax credits, which allows homeowners to get up to $1,200 to cover upfront costs of sealing homes with spray foam insulation.
Spray foam insulation increases building resiliency, reduces energy usage, saves money, and provides a solution that addresses our nation’s energy challenges. As with heat pumps, Innovative building materials that strengthen the building envelope, like spray foam insulation, deserve the same amount of attention from the White House and our country’s governors.