By Mickel Maalouf

As global consciousness shifts toward a greener, more sustainable future, the construction and architecture industries face an evolving set of expectations and standards. In fact, the built environment is poised at the crossroads of a significant transformation, one that calls for ecologically responsible and energy-efficient choices. This change is more imperative, given the contribution of buildings to global emissions.

In Canada, 13 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are from the building sector. In addition, the federal government signed the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act in June 2021, which represents the nation’s commitment to a 40 to 45 per cent reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. With these evolving standards and requirements, the urgency for the industry to adapt and adopt new methods is clear.

One area that deserves particular attention within this discourse is the building envelope, which is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building. The materials that make up this envelope, which include elements such as walls, roofs, and insulation, play a crucial role in a building’s energy performance and its environmental footprint.

Insulation is a cornerstone of a building’s energy efficiency, significantly contributing to maintaining indoor temperatures and reducing energy consumption. The type of insulation chosen can have a substantial impact on the overall ecological impact of a building, making the selection process a critical step in any construction project. It is here the industry needs to transition from traditional methods to forward-thinking alternatives.

Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) insulation

Enter HFO-blown closed-cell spray foam insulation. This innovative insulation material combines performance with environmental credentials. It ensures a long-lasting, high-performing solution that emits far fewer GHGs over its lifetime than other traditional insulation materials.

HFOs have a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) than HFCs. While the GWP of some HFCs can range in the thousands, the GWP of HFOs is typically less than 10. This drastic reduction in GWP means even if HFOs were to escape into the atmosphere, their impact on climate change would be negligible compared to HFCs.

Closed-cell spray foam is an efficient insulator with high R-values and seamless air sealing, reducing the energy needed to heat or cool a building. When manufactured with HFO blowing agents, the foam maintains this high level of efficiency, thus minimizing the energy consumption and subsequent CO2 emissions associated with heating and cooling over the material’s lifespan.

High-quality HFO-blown closed-cell foam tends to be durable, maintaining its structural integrity and insulation capability for an extended period. The longevity of the material reduces the frequency of re-application or replacement, thereby reducing the emissions tied to manufacturing and installation.