Is Spray Foam Insulation Worth It in Florida? | Honest 2026 Guide

Written by Ideal Insulation | Jan 1, 1970 12:00:00 AM

You've heard spray foam insulation is the best thing since AC. You've also seen the price tag. So let's cut through the marketing and look at the actual numbers for Florida homeowners.

Short answer: In Florida, spray foam is one of the highest-ROI home improvements you can make. But it's not for every situation.

The Pros: Why It's Usually Worth It in Florida

1. Your Electric Bill Drops 30-40%

The average Naples homeowner pays $3,000-4,000/year to FPL. After spray foam in the attic, that drops to $1,800-2,800/year. That's $900-1,400 in annual savings — every year, for 20+ years.

If you spend $2,500 on open cell spray foam after FPL rebates, you're looking at a 2-3 year payback and then pure savings.

2. Your Home Actually Feels Comfortable

Hot spots disappear. The room over the garage is finally livable. The upstairs bedrooms match downstairs. Your AC doesn't run constantly. Every homeowner who upgrades tells us: "I didn't realize how uncomfortable my house was until it wasn't."

3. It Seals Out Florida's Humidity

Spray foam creates an air seal that stops humid outdoor air from infiltrating your home. In a state with 80-90% humidity half the year, that prevents mold growth, musty smells, condensation on ductwork, and your HVAC working overtime to dehumidify.

4. FPL Instant Rebate — $220 Off

As an FPL Preferred Contractor, we get you back an instant $220 rebate on ceiling insulation upgrades. We handle the paperwork as an FPL-approved contractor.

5. It Lasts 20+ Years

Spray foam doesn't settle, sag, or absorb moisture. Fiberglass needs replacement every 10-15 years. Over the life of your home, spray foam is often cheaper.

6. Hurricane Protection (Closed Cell)

Closed cell spray foam bonds your roof sheathing to trusses, increasing wind uplift resistance significantly. After Hurricane Ian, homes with spray foam consistently had less roof damage.

The Cons: Being Honest

1. Higher Upfront Cost

Open cell: $1-2/sq ft. Closed cell: $2-4/sq ft. That's 2-4x more than blown-in fiberglass. The payback works out in 2-3 years, but you need to cover the upfront cost.

2. You Need a Qualified Installer

Bad spray foam jobs exist — wrong mix ratio, wrong temperature, insufficient thickness. You need a licensed, experienced contractor.

3. Hard to Modify Later

Running new wiring or plumbing through cured spray foam is more work than through fiberglass. Time insulation after major renovations.

4. Brief Curing Period

24-48 hours where you shouldn't occupy the home. Standard and harmless once cured.

The Real ROI Numbers

ScenarioNet Cost (after rebates)Annual SavingsPayback10-Year Return
1,500 sq ft attic, open cell$1,400$1,1001.3 years$9,600
1,500 sq ft attic, closed cell$3,650$1,2003 years$8,350
Full home (attic + walls)$4,500$1,4003.2 years$9,500

Compare: a new kitchen ($25k, saves $0/year), new windows ($10k, saves $200/year, 50-year payback), or spray foam ($1,400-3,650 net, saves $1,100+/year, pays for itself in 1-3 years).

When Spray Foam Is NOT Worth It

  • Selling within 12 months — buyers don't value insulation like kitchens
  • Major air leaks elsewhere — fix single-pane windows and duct holes first
  • Interior walls only for soundproofing — fiberglass batts do 80% of the job at 20% cost
  • Strict $500 budget — blown-in fiberglass is better than nothing

See Your Exact Numbers

Every home is different. Our free thermal leak scan shows your specific heat loss, savings potential, and rebate eligibility.

Schedule Your Free Energy Audit →

It's worth $199. It's free. And it takes 30 minutes.