An attic radiant barrier may go by other names, such as "attic foil" or "attic heat shield" or "reflective insulation."
You're probably more familiar with radiant barriers than you think. Those shiny shields designed to protect car interiors from overheating on a sunny day are very effective radiant barriers.
An attic radiant barrier works the same way as an automotive one. During summer months, a radiant barrier reflects the sun's heat energy back toward the roof, helping to keep the attic cooler. In wintertime, the radiant barrier reflects heat from the house back toward the living space.
Energy savings with radiant barriers will be greatest in hot climates where air conditioning systems need to operate frequently. In these areas, a radiant barrier can cut cooling costs by as much as 17%.
If you believe that a radiant barrier could benefit your home, Dr. Energy Saver is here to help. Get in touch with your local contractor to take a look at your home and get started on installation today!
Radiant barriers are sometimes referred to as "radiant barrier insulation," and this can cause some confusion. A radiant barrier slows the movement of heat by reflecting radiant energy. To slow convective heat loss, it's necessary to seal air leaks. To slow conductive heat loss, we need insulation. Air sealing and insulation upgrades will be ahead of radiant barrier installation in terms of energy-saving improvements, because they yield much greater energy savings.
The most common type of radiant barrier is a plastic sheet that has a reflective foil facing on one or both sides. This type of radiant barrier is usually installed in the attic, stapled to the bottom edges of attic rafters. Some types of rigid foam and fiberglass batt insulation are faced with radiant barrier material, so they can provide the benefits of insulation and a heat-reflecting barrier. Still other radiant barriers are incorporated in a plastic, bubble-wrap material that can be stapled into place just like standard plastic sheet material.
The SuperAttic System, available exclusively from Dr. Energy Saver, combines the reflective qualities of a radiant barrier with the high R-value and air-sealing effectiveness of rigid foam insulation. Ask about this attic upgrade option if you want to keep the floor of your attic open for storage!
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