Flash and Batt
“Flash and batt” is a popular technique for insulating walls but if you are going to use this technique, make sure to start with at least 2 inches of closed cell foam first. A one inch “flash” is not enough to prevent condensation!
Where is your energy going?
Energy Consumption
The largest misconception people have regarding energy is where they believe they use and waste the most energy. Heating and cooling are the main energy consumers in buildings and account for two thirds of a building’s total energy consumption. However, most of this energy is wasted due to inadequate insulation. Insulation is the most effective way to reduce energy costs. By using well-proven energy efficiency techniques, 70 to 90% of a building’s energy need for heating or cooling can be cut.
Call us today and ask about how you can reduce your energy waste with eco-friendly insulation!
Nominated for an Award!
Last month The Green Cocoon was nominated for an award at the National Spray Foam Convention in Palm Springs. Dozens of companies enter their projects in hopes of winning an Industry Excellence Award, but only 5 are chosen to be publicly recognized at the awards luncheon, and we were proud to be one of the five. Although we did not win, we were in the 
top 5 for Commercial Wall Spray Foam category. In an industry with thousands of companies, being voted in the top 5 for the 233 Vaughan Street Project in Portsmouth, NH is a testament to our company’s passion for excellence, honesty and drive to be the best in our industry. To read more about this project click here. To see photos of the Vaughan Street project click here.
top 5 for Commercial Wall Spray Foam category. In an industry with thousands of companies, being voted in the top 5 for the 233 Vaughan Street Project in Portsmouth, NH is a testament to our company’s passion for excellence, honesty and drive to be the best in our industry. To read more about this project click here. To see photos of the Vaughan Street project click here.Hurricane Season is Upon us!
Although the Hurricane Season in New England is defined as June 1st to November 30th, 75% of the 40 tropical systems that have impacted our region in the past century have struck during the months of August and September. The last severe hurricane to hit Massachusetts was Hurricane Bob in August 1991. Bob, a Category 2 Hurricane, with winds between 91 and 110mph, caused almost $1 billion in damage, at the time. More recently, Hurricanes Eduardo (1996), Bonnie (1998) and Bill (2009) threatened the Bay State, but veered out into the Atlantic as they traveled up the coast (www.mass.gov).
Every year, as storm season rolls around, millions fear for the safety of their family as well as the safety of their home. Now, with Demilec USA’s Heatlok XT spray foam insulation, you can rest assured that your home is protected by the strength of a hurricane adhesive, tested to have bonding strengths up to 2 times that of Florida’s code minimum! Heatlok XT can provide the following benefits to your home:
- Reduce Storm Damage
- Increases Wind Uplift Resistance
- Create a More Solid Structure
Demilec USA’s Heatlok XT Spray Foam and Hurricane Adhesive product bonds the roof deck and trusses together, meeting and exceeding the requirements of the state of Florida, a state known for its destructive hurricanes (www.demilec.com). You worked hard to put the roof over your family’s head. Don’t let a storm carry it away! Give us a call and ask how you can get Heatlok XT in your home today!
Visions of the Future
We here at the Green Cocoon are always striving to be the best we can be, inside and outside of the company. We truly believe that we are only as great as our weakest link and that is why we are constantly striving to empower and inspire our team members to not only be great employees, but great people. We decided to have everyone participate in a team building exercise with our good friends at UROCK Marketing. Each one of us made a vision board and filled it with our dreams, aspirations and inspiration. We hope that by having a visual path to their goals our employees will be successful in every aspect of their lives! Watch our short video below of the event. To find our more about UROCK’s team building and vision board parties, check out their website- www.urockmarketing.com
Remembering Our First Passive House
We here at the Green Cocoon have a passion for efficiency, not only in our daily operations but also in the projects that we choose to work on. We have been fortunate enough to work on everything from small renovations and existing attics to energy positive, net-zero and our favorite, the Passive House. What is a passive house, you ask? The term passive house (Passivhaus in German) refers to a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint. A continuous, balanced supply of fresh air ensures unparalleled indoor air quality. Operable windows connect indoors with out. Super-insulated walls hold warmth in the winter and cool in the summer. Special windows and a building envelope consisting of a highly insulated roof and floor slab as well as highly insulated exterior walls keep the desired warmth in the house – or undesirable heat out. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.
Currently in the U.S. there are less than 100 certified passive houses in existence, and we have worked on 4 of them. In the fall we will be starting another passive house in Rhode Island. We like to think of ourselves as the “go-to insulation company” for highly energy efficient projects.
To learn more about this project and passive house building in general, click here.
Our Foam Is Now Even Greener!
When it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and making our homes more efficient, the phrase “The more insulation the better” is often used. While all insulation materials reduce greenhouse gas emissions (by saving energy and reducing our use of fossil fuels), insulating with thick layers of spray foams often results in long “payback periods” for the global warming potential of the insulation, mainly due to the most commonly used blowing agents. (more…)
Tax and Rebate Incentives
Do you live in Southern Maine and are looking to upgrade your existing insulation? Efficiency Maine is currently offering rebates and incentives for energy improvements, including air sealing and insulation through the Home Energy Savings Program. “Efficiency Maine data indicates that the majority of (more…)