When upgrading a commercial building or home in Massachusetts, the focus is almost always on operational carbon, the emissions saved by reducing HVAC runtime. But what about the carbon emitted to manufacture the insulation itself? This is known as embodied carbon, and it is becoming the most critical metric in green building.
If you choose the wrong material, the carbon emitted during its production can wipe out decades of energy savings. In this guide, we break down the embodied carbon in insulation materials, comparing spray foam, cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool, and rigid boards to help you make truly sustainable choices for your next project.
