PU Foam Insulation & Energy-Efficient Windows: How to Cut Aircon Costs

Thermal Insulation in the Philippines: Why PU Foam and Energy-Efficient Windows Make Sense for Airconditioned Homes

A practical guide for homeowners who rely on AC — and want to save monthly

Who This Article Is For

This guide is written for anyone in the Philippines who:

Regularly uses air conditioning

Plans to install one or more AC units soon

Is building or upgrading a home

Wants to reduce electricity bills in the long term

Values comfort during the hot season

Even if you only plan to cool one room, like the bedroom, insulation still makes sense.

The Problem: No Insulation, High Heat Gain

Most Filipino homes are built without any insulation.
This causes:

Roof temperatures of 45–60 °C

Rooms that heat up fast and stay hot

Air conditioners running nonstop, especially midday

Uneven cooling, high humidity, and condensation

Air Conditioning = High Electricity Bills

Let’s say you run:

1.5 HP aircon in one bedroom: ₱2,500–₱3,500/month

Add a second unit in living room: ₱6,000–₱8,000/month

Full-house cooling? ₱12,000–₱18,000/month

With rising rates from ₱12–₱15 per kWh, these costs only increase.

The Solution: PU Foam and Smart Windows

Polyurethane Foam Insulation

Blocks heat before it enters

Keeps the cool in

Seals air gaps

Acts as both thermal and vapor barrier

Lifespan: 20–30 years

Recommended Thickness:

Roof: 50–100 mm

Walls: 30–50 mm

Even just insulating the bedroom walls and ceiling can cut cooling costs in that room by 40–60%.

Double-Glazed, Energy-Efficient Windows

Most windows in the Philippines are:

Single-glass

Thin aluminum frame

No UV or solar protection

By upgrading to:

Low-E double glazing

UPVC or thermal-break aluminum frames

You reduce:

Solar heat gain

Noise

UV damage

Power loss through window frames

Upgrade cost: ~₱3,500–₱5,500 per m²
Payback in aircon savings: 3–5 years

How Much Can You Save?

Example: One AC-cooled bedroom (12 m²)

Without insulation: ₱3,000–₱4,000/month

With PU foam + insulated window: ₱1,500–₱2,200/month
→ Savings: ₱1,500/month ≈ ₱18,000/year

Insulation cost for one room: ~₱40,000–₱60,000
Payback: ~3 years
After that — pure savings.

Whole-House Insulation Pays Even More

Full 100 m² home:

Monthly AC cost without insulation: ~₱15,000

With full insulation & windows: ~₱6,000–₱8,000
→ Annual savings: ₱84,000–₱108,000
→ Payback: 3–5 years

Not All or Nothing – Insulate What You Use

You don’t need to insulate the whole house right away.
Start with the room you cool the most:

Bedrooms

Office

Living room

Baby’s room

This is called “zone insulation” — and it’s the most cost-effective approach for many homeowners.

Conclusion: If You Use Aircon, Insulation Is a Must

PU foam insulation and energy-efficient windows aren’t luxury features —
they are necessary for comfort and savings in a tropical climate.

If you're running AC regularly, even in just one room, proper insulation will pay you back — in money saved, comfort gained, and noise reduced.

Don’t cool the whole neighborhood — insulate your space.

Autor: Nils Deden