(NAPSI)—Sports fans know the importance of a utility player: someone who adds a great deal of value to a team because he or she can play multiple positions well.

In many ways, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation can be considered a home’s utility player, because it offers multiple benefits including lowering energy bills, eliminating dust and allergens and even reducing noise from outside sources. The versatility that spray foam offers comes from the fact that it serves not just as insulation but also helps seal air leaks. Some products can even act as moisture barriers.

SPF is applied as a liquid and quickly expands into a high R-value foam insulation and air sealant. This process makes it highly effective at keeping cold air out by sealing cracks, seams and joints. By removing these drafts, SPF provides a major boost for improving energy efficiency—as approximately 40 percent of energy lost in buildings and homes is due to air leaks.

A recent evaluation of weatherized homes by the U.S. Department of Energy found that homeowners could save an average of $283 a year in energy costs. In fact, although savings can vary, the DOE estimates the owners of the 440,000 weatherized homes it evaluated have collectively seen more than $1.4 billion in energy savings.

To learn more about the benefits of spray foam insulation, visit www.whysprayfoam.org.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)