Cost Payback Period of Aerogel Building Insulation: How High is its Energy-Saving Benefit?

Aerogel insulation is a unique kind of material that helps to insulate buildings against the cold in winter and heat in summer. Kind of. It’s sort of like a soft, light sponge, but it actually does a better job at blocking heat from traveling through walls. Aerogel can be used to save energy by reducing the need for heating or cooling in buildings. But aerogel insulation can be more expensive upfront than regular insulation. So the big question is: How many years do you have to use that aerogel at 34 cents per kilowatt-hour of energy savings to pay itself off with extra cost of the aerogel blanket? That is what the “cost payback period” sense of perception people have. We’ve developed a bit of experience at Surnano working with aerogel products, and we'd like to pass along what we know about whether using aerogel insulation is actually worth it for saving energy which translates to saving money over the long term. 

Cost Payback Period of Aerogel Building Insulation for Energy Saving

When a customer of Surnano purchases aerogel insulation, the usual question is: “How long after I buy it will I see a return in my investment?” The cost payback period tells you how many years it takes for the energy saved on heating and cooling bills to add up to what was paid for the aerogel building insulation. Aerogel is pricier than standard insulation, but it has an extremely high capacity to stop heat and so can cut down on how much energy is used. Consider a home in the cold: if its walls don’t let out as much heat, then the heater doesn’t have to be used as often. This saves money every month. These savings accumulate over time. For instance, if aerogel insulation is $5,000 more expensive than standard insulation but will save $500 annually on energy bills, it would take 10 years to recoup the higher price. But the time is very variable depending on a lot of things. The climate matters a lot. In locations with extremely-hot summers or cold winters, aerogel can save more energy and pay back quicker. Also influencing savings is how well the insulation is installed, the size of the building and the type of climate control system used. Payback often feels slow to people due to the large upfront cost. But when you consider how long buildings last and how energy prices climb, aerogel can actually be a wise investment. at Surnano and from our customers, is that people are turning to aerogel because it saves you not just energy but also comfort on the inside of the building. It keeps rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, that’s important for health and happiness. So even if it takes years to recapture the money, the benefits during those years are very real. 

Wholesale Buyer Insights 

There are a few different reasons why the people who buy aerogel insulation in larger quantities for buildings or construction projects want it than do regular homeowners. Wholesale buyers care if aerogel saves money for an entire building type, or many buildings, not just one. At Surnano we deal with a lot of wholesale customers who are all closely looking at how easily the insulation pays for itself over large and stronger projects. They also mind delivery speed, product quality, and support. In some cases, purchasing aerogel home insulation in large volume may reduce cost per unit, thus reducing payback time. For instance, a company constructing dozens of homes might save more money because it receives better prices and can put in the insulation faster and properly. Also, wholesale buyers commonly pay attention to the reputation of the manufacturer. Surnano is a company people trust in, because we provide quality and assist with technical questions. Another consideration for wholesale buyers is the relationship between aerogel insulation and green building certifications or energy codes. Aerogel could be a way to help buildings achieve these certifications, which can translate into higher rental or sale values. This value is harder to quantify but  important. Some wholesale customers worry about the cost of installation, because aerogel requires meticulous handling. However, with experienced installers, these additional expenses will be minimized. At least from what we can tell, many wholesale buyers find that aerogel insulation pays dividends in the form of lower energy bills and increased property value. When considering the long-term savings and increased building performance, they often say the payback period is acceptable. At Surnano, we do our best to offer wholesale customers the most helpful advice so they can make informed decisions concerning aerogel insulation. Our results demonstrate that if every component of the costs and benefits is considered, aerogel wins as the clear winner for insulation performance. 

How Much Energy Will Aerogel Building Insulation Save Me On My Bills? 

Aerogel building insulation is a unique product that enables homes and other buildings to remain warm in winter and cool during the summer months. This results in people using less energy for heating and cooling, which saves money on energy bills. Aerogel is best known as an ultralight thermal insulator, because it has a high degree of heat resistance due to its super-small air pockets. These air pockets block heat from moving through walls, floors and roofs. If it retains the heat during a cold period, or keeps the heat outside in warm weather, then a building uses less energy for climate control. At Surnano, we worked to bring about aerogel insulation that is carefully designed for a high energy-saving effect. Servet says numerous tests reveal that aerogel can save between 10 percent and 30 percent more energy than traditional insulation materials. That’s because aerogel is thinner and thus stronger in its ability to block heat. And when buildings don’t use so much energy, they also cut down on pollution because less energy use means fewer bad gases are created. This is a way to contribute to the care of the Earth. With aerogel insulation from Surnano, homes and buildings can remain comfortable without wasting energy. All have come labeled with the same typical energy-saving claim and that is very high indeed. It increases the energy efficiency of buildings, lowers energy costs and improves air quality. That is why more and more people are deciding to use Aerogel insulation for their homes and offices. 

What is the ROI of an Aerogel Building Insulation vs Traditional Materials? 

ROI means “return on investment.” It explains to you what percentage of the cash you spend on a particular thing comes back to you. When you install Surnano’s aerogel insulation, you pay more upfront than with typical insulating materials like fiberglass or foam. But the beauty with aerogel is it saves a lot more energy and so you get that money back faster. In general, the ROI on aerogel insulation is higher because it offers a greater reduction in energy bill. For instance, you may save $200 in heating and cooling costs after an $1,000 on aerogel insulation. Traditional insulation, by contrast, may cost $700 to install but only save $100 a year. That means the payback period for aerogel is approximately five years, compared to seven or longer if you use traditional insulation. Surnano’s aerogel products are the best balance of cost and energy savings. Even though aerogel insulation is more expensive upfront, the energy savings add up fast. In the long run, it becomes an intelligent choice. And aerogel is also not only incredibly strong, but it holds up for longer periods of time without needing to be replaced. That also translates to lower costs down the road and a better ROI in the end. When considering ROI, remember, aerogel insulation increases the value of your home or building by making it more energy-efficient and comfortable. So, despite the up-front cost of aerogel insulation, high ROI in the form of energy savings and potentially higher property value make purchasing Surnano’s aerogel insulation a good choice. 

What Variables Affect the Payback Time of Aerogel Construction Insulation? 

The amount of time required for the energy savings to match the money spent on insulation is known as the cost payback period. This time is subject to uncertainty for Surnano aerogel insulation. One big consideration is building size. Larger buildings require more insulation, so they are a bit costlier up front. But larger buildings can also save more energy, so it pays back faster. Another factor is the climate. In hot or cold places, the greater levels of heating or cooling that a building requires means more energy saved thanks to aerogel insulation. This implies that the repayment period in extreme climate conditions is short. If there is less weather-related demand, there is a smaller pot of savings, thus taking longer to pay back. It also matters what you pay for energy. If electricity or gas is costly, wasting energy can be costly.