Acceptance Criteria for Foam Plastic Insulation

Identification

• The EPA defines insulation as any material used to slow down heat flow. These materials can be made from plastic, natural fibers or cellular materials. Certain types of insulation have reflective facings that further resist heat flow or act as a vapor barrier to prevent water from damaging the insulating materials. There are several types of foam plastic insulation such as spray foam insulation and rigid foam board insulation.

R-Value

• The R-value is the way the EPA measures how efficient an insulating material is when placed inside your home. Foam insulating materials must have an R-value of at least R-3.0 per inch of thickness to be accepted by Energy Star. Minimum R-values do not apply to spray foam insulation or loose-fill foam insulation. All foam insulation products must not have an R-value of less than 10 percent listed on the product label. R-values of 10 or more can be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Fire Safety

• Foam insulation materials must be rated according to their ability to retard fire and smoke. Energy Star-rated insulation is evaluated as to its ability to resist smoke and flames compared to inorganic cement or red oak. Energy Star recommends only foam insulation products meeting the highest standards.

Testing Requirements

• Energy Star tests foam plastic insulation products at a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a differential of 50 degrees Fahrenheit plus or minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Testing is performed on aging product samples that reflect the true R-value as time goes on. Foam plastic insulation products is tested on the product alone.