Open Cell Spray Foam Now Officially Recognized by California Energy Commission (CEC)

SACRAMENTO, CA - January 3, 2012 - At the California Energy Commission (CEC) regular Business Meeting held December 14, 2011, the Commissioners voted unanimously to recognize open-cell spray foam as an accepted insulation in the CEC's 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, “Alternative Quality Insulation Installation (QII) Procedure for Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation: Medium-Density Closed Cell and Low-Density Open Cell SPF,” as proposed by the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA).  Beginning now (the QII checklist and supporting documents will be available shortly through the CEC), any home or low-rise residential building insulated with open-cell spray foam installed to the new SPF QII standard is eligible for a variety of state energy tax credits and utility rebate programs. This decision by the CEC enables open-cell spray foam to join closed-cell spray foam and other insulations already recognized by California’s 2008 energy code.   

This important decision was the result of several months of collaboration between CEC Staff and members of the SPFA California Task Group.  Several individuals spoke on behalf of SPFA's proposal.  Steve Easley, a nationally recognized building scientist, stated that,“ the use of open and closed-cell spray foam insulations make a lot of sense from a building science perspective.  The attributes of SPF increases the opportunity for energy saving in California”.  Michael Mancini of Meritage Homes, a national builder, added, " Meritage Homes will build 3,500 homes across the United States and over 500 homes in California per year using open-cell spray foam.  Meritage Homes strongly supports acceptance of this compliance option, since it will allow builders to provide far superior insulation compared to standard insulation products used today”. 

During the next few months, the SPFA California Task Group will continue to work with CEC Staff providing input during the development of the 2013 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (known as the Title 24 Program) to assure that spray foam insulation and roofing systems are properly addressed.  Any stakeholder with an interest in spray foam in California wanting to learn more about or possibly joining the SPFA California Task Group should contact Rick Duncan, SPFA Technical Director at rickduncan@sprayfoam.org.