(NAPSI)—For the 66 percent of Americans who live in homes built before 1980, lower heating and cooling costs might seem like a hard-to-achieve fantasy. But with the right insulation choice, owners of those character-filled turn-of-the-century farmhouses can capitalize on potential opportunities to reduce their energy bills. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is an especially versatile choice when it comes to modernizing these older homes. SPF can be easily installed when renovating existing walls and attics, including hard-to-reach and odd-shaped areas.

SPF is a spray-applied insulation installed seamlessly in and around building surfaces. Sealing cracks, seams and joints with SPF cuts down on energy loss from drafts and leaks. A properly insulated and sealed home can reduce heating and cooling needs by 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Lastly, let’s not forget the attic. Most homeowners may not realize that attics are places where heat and cold air can escape. The Department of Energy also reports that attic openings account for 15 percent of a typical home’s energy losses. The use of SPF to insulate an attic offers an important step in improving a home’s energy efficiency.

When updating a house with SPF, homeowners can take advantage of one of the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency without sacrificing the character of their older homes. To learn more about the benefits of spray foam insulation, visit www.whysprayfoam.org.

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