8 Reasons to Get Ahead of the Curve with Continuous Insulation

New rules for Energy Star certification require insulation upgrades. Continuous Insulation can help.

Most people, including builders, resist changing something that works well for them. But sometimes change can be easier than we think and lead to new opportunities.

Beginning in 2025, all new homes* aiming for Energy Star for Homes Certification and IRA tax credit eligibility must meet the new standards of Energy Star Single-Family New Homes Version 3.2, which aligns with insulation requirements in the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Homes are estimated to achieve at least 10% savings over the 2012 IECC requirements.

“Building codes for single-family homes and multifamily developments are different, but both types of construction can benefit from Styrofoam continuous insulation (CI) to meet new standards,” says Victoria Raineri, a residential marketing specialist at DuPont. “Unlike batt or blown-in insulation, CI goes on the outside of the stud, either directly attached to the stud or to OSB sheathing. This eliminates thermal breaks to achieve a higher level of energy efficiency.”

8 Reasons to Consider Continuous Insulation

Builders who have yet to use Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation on their building projects may feel they would rather increase the amount of roof insulation or move to a deeper stud rather than try something new. But Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation can be a viable alternative that may be cost-effective and provide a buffer against future code changes.

“If you increase the building envelope insulation with Styrofoam™ Brand XPS, it’s possible to eliminate the need to add higher levels of insulation to the roof, windows and other building components,” Raineri says.

Other reasons to consider Styrofoam CI include:

1. Competitive advantage to attract customers. While home buyers may not grasp the nuances of insulation options, they are likely to be highly aware of thermal bridging that creates hot or cold spots in their home, Raineri says. Explaining that Styrofoam™ XPS Continuous Insulation adds comfort to their home along with lower energy costs can entice customers and demonstrate a builder’s value.
2. Minimal installation challenges. Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation is lightweight and easy to work with, Raineri says. Styrofoam can be cut with a utility knife and secured to studs using plastic cap nails.
3. Flexible installation options. “Styrofoam™ Brand Insulation can be installed under or over the primary WRB,” Raineri says. “This can add flexibility for builder preference and design.”
4. Simple storage options. The product is lightweight and water resistant, so it can be stored on a construction site and transported easily.
5. Low GWP insulation option. Styrofoam™ Brand XPS, which is now grey rather than blue, was recently reformulated to offer a low global warming potential (GWP) version. The new version used 20% pre-consumer recycled content and has achieved a 94% reduction in embodied carbon compared to the previous formulation, which is demonstrated with both a published environmental product declaration (EPD) and an embodied carbon/lifecycle optimization assessment.
6. IRA eligible to offset costs. Newer building codes may add some cost to the construction of homes, Raineri points out, but the ability to use CI instead of increasing energy efficiency in other ways can be more cost-effective. In addition, builders may be eligible to use Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds to bridge expenses.
7. Future compliance issues addressed. “We’ve reached a tipping point where builders may want to get ahead of the next code changes,” Raineri says.
8. Flexible options for new Energy Star code. Builders can get a free UA consultation with a DuPont expert to evaluate potential trade-offs to meet the new code with the help of CI. “It may be easier to increase CI use instead of increasing the roof value or the volume of spray foam,” Raineri says. “Plus, once builders understand the design options, they can use that for future builds.”

DuPont offers a UA consultation for builders, providing a customized evaluation of the thermal efficiency of the building envelope. To learn more about DuPont™ Styrofoam™ Brand Insulation and to schedule a consultation, visit www.dupont.com/building/styrofoam-continuous-insulation.html

*California and Hawaii do not follow ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes National Program Version 3.2 and may have different insulation requirements.