At Insulation Services of Michigan Inc (ISM), we hear this question a lot from homeowners in Birmingham: “Will spray foam insulation actually lower my energy bills?” And the short answer is yes dramatically, in many cases. But what’s behind that savings? What exactly makes spray foam so efficient, and how can Birmingham residents make the most of it?
We’re not here to sell a miracle. We’re here to explain how your home works, how energy loss happens, and what spray foam insulation can do to stop it. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly how spray foam insulation lowers heating and cooling costs, why it’s ideal for Michigan homes, and how ISM can help you get it done right without guesswork or overspending.
Air leaks are silent budget killers. Birmingham homes, especially those built before 2000, often suffer from significant air infiltration gaps in attics, crawl spaces, around pipes, and in wall cavities.
When your home isn’t properly sealed, warm air escapes in the winter, and humid air creeps in during the summer. Your furnace and AC fight constantly to stabilize the temperature. That fight costs money. Every hour they’re running longer than they should, your utility bill climbs.
Spray foam insulation changes the game. Unlike fiberglass batts or blown-in insulation, spray foam expands to seal off air pathways completely. At ISM, we see this play out in real homes every day: better sealing, more consistent indoor temperatures, and lower energy usage from the first month.
Spray foam isn’t just insulation; it’s an air sealant. We apply it to walls, attic rafters, and crawl spaces where it expands rapidly to fill every gap. Once cured, it forms a continuous barrier that locks indoor air in and outdoor air out.
In Birmingham homes with older insulation, we often find the real issue isn’t R-value—it’s airflow. Spray foam addresses both: it offers high insulation value and eliminates the drafts that traditional insulation leaves behind.
In the first year after installation, many ISM clients see 20% to 40% reductions in heating costs. One homeowner on Chester Street reported a $110 drop in their January gas bill after we spray-foamed their attic. That’s not uncommon especially during our long Michigan winters where heating costs pile up.
It’s easy to think about insulation as a cold-weather upgrade, but in reality, spray foam helps all year long. Michigan summers bring humidity, and your AC works just as hard to compensate for poorly sealed attics and walls.
By tightening your building envelope, spray foam keeps cool air inside during summer and blocks warm, humid air from getting in. The result: more consistent indoor comfort and lower cooling costs without needing to overwork your HVAC system.
We often hear from customers in Birmingham neighborhoods like Quarton Lake and Bloomfield that their second floors get muggy in July. The culprit is usually attic heat and moisture leaking into the home. Spray foam insulation applied to the attic roof deck significantly reduces this problem.
Closed-cell spray foam is particularly effective in basement and crawl space areas where moisture issues are common. Beyond reducing energy loss, it acts as a vapor barrier, minimizing the risk of mold—a major long-term cost and health concern.
Spray foam isn’t the cheapest insulation option upfront. We’re transparent about that. But its return on investment is unmatched. In many Birmingham homes, homeowners recoup installation costs through energy savings in as little as three to five years.
When your HVAC system doesn’t have to run constantly to maintain temperature, it lasts longer. Spray foam reduces runtime significantly. We’ve seen systems go from cycling every 10 minutes to every 30, just from proper insulation and air sealing.
That reduction in wear and tear means fewer service calls and delayed replacement costs—which can save thousands over a decade.
Traditional insulation settles, degrades, and often becomes home to pests. Spray foam resists all of that. Once installed, it stays in place for decades with zero maintenance. That peace of mind alone is worth the investment for many of our clients.
We stay current with all Michigan energy codes and rebate programs, so our customers don’t have to worry about compliance or missing savings opportunities.
If you upgrade insulation in your Birmingham home, you could be eligible for rebates from your utility provider. We guide our clients through the application process and make sure documentation is ready to go.
We recommend a blower door test and infrared scan before any spray foam project. These tools help us pinpoint exactly where your home is losing energy, so we can apply foam where it makes the biggest impact. ISM offers these assessments to Birmingham homeowners as part of our insulation planning service.
If you’re in Birmingham and tired of unpredictable energy bills, we’re ready to help. At ISM, we bring local expertise, honest pricing, and proven spray foam solutions to homes just like yours. Let us show you how much more comfortable and cost-efficient your home can be.
Contact us today:
Phone: (810) 267-4121
Email: kam@ismichigan.com
Don’t keep paying for energy you’re not using. Let’s make your home efficient, comfortable, and ready for every Michigan season.
In most cases, we see 20-40% reductions in heating and cooling costs after installing spray foam. The exact savings depend on the current insulation, house size, and usage habits.
Yes. We use low-VOC, certified products that are safe once cured. Proper ventilation during installation is part of our process.
In some areas, yes. We often remove old fiberglass to apply spray foam directly to the surface, which ensures a proper seal.
Both. We typically recommend attic first for maximum savings, but walls and crawl spaces bring big returns too.
Spray foam insulation can last 30 years or more with no sagging, settling, or replacement needed.
We offer both open-cell and closed-cell spray foam, depending on the location and specific goals of the project.
Absolutely. Garage insulation is especially useful for attached garages, helping stabilize the temperature of the adjacent interior rooms.
Most residential jobs are completed in 1-2 days. We work around your schedule and keep the process clean and efficient.
Yes. Improved energy efficiency and insulation are strong selling points and can improve home appraisal values.
Yes. In fact, older homes benefit the most due to common air leaks and outdated insulation. We’ve upgraded homes from the 1920s to the 1980s with excellent results.