Huntsman Publishes White Paper Addressing Proper Design of HVAC Systems Using Spray Foam
The Woodlands, Texas – Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced the publication of a white paper titled, “Proper Design of HVAC Systems for Spray Foam Homes.”
The paper, written by Doug Garrett (CEM, ACCA certified instructor, Building Performance and Comfort, Inc.), highlights the role spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation plays in significantly reducing a home’s energy use. Additionally, it recommends essential HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) practices to optimize home energy performance and comfort.
Air leakage accounts for 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical home. Homes insulated with SPF can have significantly reduced heating and cooling costs because SPF provides both a high thermal resistance, as well as air sealing properties. According to the Department of Energy, “the recommended strategy in both new and old homes is to reduce air leakage as much as possible and to provide controlled ventilation as needed.” The transition towards tight building construction and greatly reduced heat flows, such as with SPF building envelopes, requires builders and HVAC contractors to rethink the way things were done in the past.
The paper stresses the need for a system-wide approach in HVAC design for homes insulated with SPF. The importance of addressing adequate fresh air ventilation and humidity removal is reviewed, and recommendations are made to ensure that the air tightness created by SPF provides an ongoing return for the homeowner in terms of comfort, energy cost savings, indoor air quality and safety. The HVAC design considerations addressed in the white paper include:
- Combustion Safety
- Ventilation
- Right Sizing HVAC Equipment
- Humidity and Moisture
- Use of ACCA Manual J
- Duct and Register Considerations
“Designing homes with a system-wide approach optimizes the performance of each component,” said Monica Karamagi, regional marketing and industry affairs manager, Huntsman Polyurethanes. “Taking HVAC design into consideration when utilizing SPF will help create an energy efficient, comfortable and healthy home. We’re proud to be part of this effort to expand the industry knowledge of HVAC installation in homes insulated with SPF.”
About Huntsman:
Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Our operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman has approximately 12,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2010 revenues of over $9 billion. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com
