Honeywell has announced that its Solstice, Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA), a low-global-warming-foam blowing agent, has been used for a net-zero energy home insulation project at Purdue University.
The blowing agent induces closed-cell spray foam insulation that expands and provides high insulating properties, which was used to retrofit a home in West Lafayette, Ind. Solstice LBA was selected to increase the home’s energy efficiency.
The new blowing agent was for the first time applied in spray foam wall insulation. Solstice LBA is already used to insulate high-efficiency refrigerators.
Whirlpool and Purdue University are transforming an old home into a net-zero energy, water and waste structure that will be converted to a world-class research laboratory.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation seals gaps and holes, making it an energy-efficient insulation product, said, Laura Reinhard, global business manager, Honeywell’s spray foam business.
Solstice LBA has 99.9 percent lower global warming potential and provides higher insulating performance than HFC blowing agents, added Reinhard.
These spray foam systems demonstrate about 8 to 10 percent better thermal performance compared to the systems formulated with HFC blowing agents, commented, Lapolla, manufacturers of the foam.
Continuing the partnership with Honeywell was decided after the success experienced using Solstice LBA for refrigerator insulation. It is going to be a perfect choice, as it is used in spray foam insulation, said, Ron Voglewede, global sustainability lead, Whirlpool.
Recently, Whirlpool announced that all its U.S.-based refrigerator manufacturing would use Solstice LBA for insulation by the end of the year.
Use of Solstice LBA helps manufacturers to meet energy efficiency and environmental regulations in a cost-efficient way. It is a next-generation blowing agent with a global warming potential of 1, significantly lower than previous-generation HFC blowing agents such as HFC-245fa, which has a global warming potential of 858.
This nonflammable foam has received EPA approval under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program, and is VOC-exempt per EPA.