Frequently asked questions

 

1. Is Foam Insulation affordable?

Spray foam insulation pays for itself from the day it is installed. In the summer in Texas, many homes have air conditioners running around the clock. If this is true in your case, something is wrong. A foam insulated house is cool and energy efficient, resulting in dramatically lower monthly utility bills. They more than offset the cost of BioTex foam insulation, while allowing you to remain cool and comfortable. Price of open cell foam is determined by the markup of the installer and the type of foam used. SucraSeal foam is fire-resistant, but cost more. However, overall it reduces your costs because you eliminate the need for an ignition barrier. Many factors affect the cost of the installation, but it is nearly always advantageous to use spray foam insulation.

2. What makes Spray Foam Insulation so effective?

Foam insulation is applied as a liquid and expands 100 times its original liquid size in seconds. As it expands, it conforms and fills each tiny gap and minute opening to create a sealed thermal envelope. This creates a barrier wall against wind and a safeguard against leakage (leakage is the number one source of energy loss in a structure).

3. What is photovoltaics (solar electricity) or "PV"?

What do we mean by photovoltaics? The word itself helps to explain how photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric technologies work. Photovoltaics can literally be translated as light-electricity. And that's just what photovoltaic materials and devices do; they convert light energy to electricity.

4. How can we get electricity from the sun?

When certain semiconducting materials, such as certain kinds of silicon, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect refers to the emission, or ejection, of electrons from the surface of a metal in response to light. It is the basic physical process in which a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) cell converts sunlight to electricity.

5. How does outdoor solar lighting work?

Solar-powered lights each contain a solar cell, Ni-Cad rechargeable battery, LED light and photoresistor. Essentially, each light's solar cell produces energy, which charges the battery during the day. Solar-powered lights stop producing energy at night, so the photoresistor, which detects the absence of light, activates the battery, which turns the LED light on.

6. How do I take care of my outdoor solar lighting?

Because solar lights are powered by direct sunlight, they need to be cleaned periodically from dust or mud, so they can easily store energy for the night. Switch them to the off position when they are not being used.