What is a Radiant Barrier?

Radiant Barriers are materials that inhibit heat transfer by using thermal radiations. They are usually installed in homes and offices in order to reduce heat gain during summer and heat loss during winter. They are a great way to reduce the heating and cooling energy usage of your building as they help reduce the load on your air-conditioning system.

Popular radiant barriers are built using a very thin sheet of aluminum which can either be applied to single or both sides of substrate materials. Instead of aluminum, coatings of other highly reflective materials are also used. Some variants are even reinforced using fiber as it helps from a durability perspective. Reflective material is used to build radiant barriers as it reflects heat rather than absorbing the heat. The substrates can be based on cardboard, plywood or craft paper.

For homes, these radiant barriers are most popularly used in attics because they reduce heat gains during summer and heat loss during winter. It is easy to install them for attics in your home. One of the easiest ways to install these is to place it on top of existing insulation. Make sure that the reflective side is facing up. An alternative mechanism of installation is to attach it in proximity to the roof. It can be attached directly to underside of roof or it can be draped on top of rafters before roof deck is applied. If it used on floor, it is a must that the radiant barrier allows water vapor to pass through it. If it does not do so, water vapor may condense and eventually freeze.

You can even install radiant barrier yourself. To do so, make sure that you read the precautions and detailed instructions provided by your vendor. However, it is advisable to hire a professional contractor or advisor in case you are planning to get it installed in a new building (home or office). Also keep in mind that the efficiency is highly dependent on a proper installation.

Radiant Barriers are most effective during summers and can be used in any type of buildings - homes, offices and industries. They can help reduce your cooling costs by as much as 20%.

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Save Money and Improve Insulation With Radiant Barriers - Heating a Home Without Large Utility Bills

The last thing any homeowner wants is to pay out large sums of money to upgrade the home's HVAC system, however, with the extreme temperatures that the middle of winter or summer bring, many homeowner's direct their attention to the heating or cooling abilities of the current HVAC system. Before considering incurring the large expense of installing a more efficient and powerful heat pump or even a furnace, the homeowner needs to make sure that the house envelope is sealed well.

This means that the doors and windows should not leak and the insulation should be adequate to prevent the transfer of heat into or out of the interior of the home. Many homes however, can not claim to have the proper amount of insulation or properly installed insulation. While the insulation within the walls can be improved with loose fill being blown into the walls, the attic should be of greater concern.

Because heat rises, heat loss during the winter months is a major concern. Improper insulation in the attic accounts for having the heating system cycle on more frequently due to the loss of heat. Rather than piling on more insulation over the existing insulation in the attic, which can cause moisture and mold problems during the summer months, adding a radiant barrier is the quickest, safest, and most economical method to combat heat loss.

A radiant barrier acts, much like aluminum foil does when wrapped around a hot roll. It prevents rapid heat loss ensuring the inside stays warm. The results of properly installing a radiant barrier should be the retention of warmer air within the living quarters. When the heating cycle of the HVAC system kicks on, the intake will already have a warmer source of air with which to heat. The wear and tear on the air handler will be reduced and there should be longer time periods between the cycling of each heating cycle.

Providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere is what a radiant barrier can provide. Saving money through less wear and tear on the heating and cooling system and repair calls will save money. The less time the air handler and heat pump need to cycle on and off can yield savings better spent elsewhere instead of the utility bill. It really is a win-win solution for the homeowner to install a radiant barrier.

For more information and guidance about radiant barriers, thermal insulation, and Temper Shield, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com]http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements has great videos on their site to illustrate the cost savings thermal barriers. Daniel Elliott authors articles for diverse audiences. WebDrafter.com, Inc. ( http://www.webdrafter.com) produces Websites and search engine marketing services for many of the clients related to the articles authored by Dan Elliott.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Save-Money-and-Improve-Insulation-With-Radiant-Barriers---Heating-a-Home-Without-Large-Utility-Bills&id=3224309] Save Money and Improve Insulation With Radiant Barriers - Heating a Home Without Large Utility Bills

Foil the Heat With Radiant Barrier Insulation, Save Money on Utility Bills, and Conserve Energy

Author: Daniel P Elliott

There are many methods of insulating a house or office building. Some are extremely effective and practical while others are not. The best insulation and most inexpensive method to insulate a house from the heat of summer is to use aluminum foil. The cost should only be approximately $200 to $350 to wrap an average 2000 sq. foot house in aluminum foil. The heavy weight aluminum foil is the most durable from a weathering standpoint. This is an absurd idea! This ridiculous idea would work, except for being aesthetically displeasing, violating a large number of local ordinances and home association covenants, and not very practical from an installation standpoint. There are alternatives that will yield similar results without the hassle, ugliness, and illegal aspects.

Radiant barriers possess similar reflective qualities of aluminum foil in order to provide maximum temperature control in a home. Much like aluminum foil found in many cooking applications, radiant barriers do not absorb heat, they reflect it. A relative new comer to the home insulation industry, radiant barriers are designed to be installed within attics and even under homes in crawl spaces.

In doing so, during the winter months a foil radiant barrier allows the heat of the home interior to be trapped inside and maintained while the house is sitting out in the open colder air. Obviously this is a perfect example for warming a home in the winter time, but what of the heat during the summer?

Radiant barriers don't just trap warm air inside, they also help maintain cooler temperatures from the sizzling exterior heat. The key term is barrier. It works equally well against large temperature fluctuations of summer by reflecting the exterior heat back outside and reflecting the cooler interior temperatures inside.

This technology traces its origins back to military and N.A.S.A. developments. This truly is a space age material adapted for the construction industry. With a radiant barrier installed, the homeowner should notice a drop in energy costs which translates to saving money. With today's economic struggles, that is especially important for families trying to make ends meet.

For more information and guidance about energy efficiency and radiant barriers such as Temper Shield, visit [http://www.utilityimprovements.com]http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in exceptionally effective thermal radiant barriers and demonstrates how they work via videos on their Website.

Daniel Elliott is an independent contractor who authors articles and media on a variety of topics for diverse audiences. WebDrafter.com, Inc. ( http://www.webdrafter.com) produces Website design, hosting, and search engine marketing services for many of the clients, industries and markets related to the articles and media authored by Dan Elliott. If you would like Dan Elliott to ghost write or pen an article for you or your company, please contact him with your specifications.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Foil-the-Heat-With-Radiant-Barrier-Insulation,-Save-Money-on-Utility-Bills,-and-Conserve-Energy&id=2698273] Foil the Heat With Radiant Barrier Insulation, Save Money on Utility Bills, and Conserve Energy

What is the Best Method For Installing a Radiant Barrier?

Author: Ed Fritz

Once you have decided to install radiant barrier, you have to determine which method of installation would suit your home best. Mainly, there are two criteria that should influence your decision: 1) The climatic conditions in your area and 2) Whether your attic has ductwork.

Two of the most common methods by which you can install radiant barrier are either stapling the attic foil to the bottom of your roof rafters or getting the radiant barrier foil insulation spread out over your existing batt or blown-in attic insulation.

In case you reside in a mixed or cold climate, getting the radiant barrier installed across the attic floor insulation is the easiest and most effective. When summer comes, it would reduce radiant heat gain into the home. When it's winter, it will lessen heat loss because of radiation and limit convective looping, which has to do with cold heavy air sinking through the attic insulation and reducing the insulation's R-Value. Don't forget, foil insulation ISN'T a replacement for regular attic insulation. They work in combination, decreasing both conductive as well as radiant heat flow.

If you reside in a warm or hot climate and there ISN'T any ductwork in your attic, then by all means install the radiant barrier attic foil on top of your existing insulation. This happens to be the best option to minimize summer heat gain and winter heat loss. Make sure you have adequate insulation BEFORE you add radiant barrier. After you have laid out the radiant barrier over the blown-in insulation, you can't put more insulation on top. This will take away the advantage you get from your radiant barrier, which requires an air space on one side of the foil to function effectively.

However, if there IS ductwork in the attic, then the staple-up method is preferable. Let's look at it this way - if you put ductwork in your attic, it's similar to making ice cream using the oven. By stapling the foil to the bottom of the rafters, you get the benefit of reducing radiant heat inflow into the attic insulation AS WELL AS bringing down the attic temperature. By keeping the attic temperature down, less heat will be transferred INTO the ductwork due to conductive heat flow. Additionally, it feels extremely cool when you stroll into your attic on a hot summer day and it feels much more comfortable compared to being inside an oven.

Any of the methods of installing radiant barrier works well. Where the climate is hot/warm, it's a question of what's easiest and if you have duct work. When you staple radiant barrier to the base of the roof rafters, you will get a cool attic, put the ductwork in a more favorable environment AND reduce radiant heat gain into your home. The staple-up method results in the minimum overall heat gain into your home. Both of these methods of installing radiant barrier is going to make your home feel more comfy and save you money on your utility bills.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/what-is-the-best-method-for-installing-a-radiant-barrier-1489271.html

About the Author:
Ed Fritz is the owner of www.AtticFoil.com. His passion is to help homeowners make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient. He has helped literally thousands of customers by sharing his first hand experiences using radiant barrier foil . To learn more about Ed and how radiant barrier foil can help cut your energy bill, visit his blog at The Radiant Barrier Guru .

Home Insulation - Turn Your House Environment Friendly in Just 3 Steps

Author: Diya Kapoor

High heating bills can be a thing of past if you take these 3 home insulation steps. Home insulation installs capability to control heat movement by sealing gaps that are catalyst to air leakage and heat leakage. You may not be aware but there are several holes or gaps such as cavities in walls, gaps in attic, keyholes, spaces around doors and windows, floors which is responsible for fluctuation of temperature. For this reason, you need to produce carbon dioxide based heat to interior climate warm. But, this is necessary when your house is not insulated or inadequately insulated. Hence, once you adopt proper insulation strategies your building will reduce requirement for CO2 based heat, heating use and utility bills cause by electricity consumption for heating use. Here are three effective home insulation strategies to lessen energy bills this winter:

1. Insulate your attic – The attic is a major source for loss of heat and also one of the most convenient areas to get in and access. Your attic must have minimum 12 inches or 250mm of insulation as per current recommendation. One can install paperless rolls of home insulation coating on top of existing insulation made up of either cellulose or vermiculate. These kinds of insulation materials have tendency to "compact" over time, mitigating their efficiency of insulation. When you notice that icicles formed on the eaves of roof area it proves that warm air in the area is melting snow making water runoff to re-freeze. This means, your attic needs to be insulated until the air is felt very cold there.

2. Apply weather-stripping around windows and doors – Substantial amount of heat can be lost via spaces and holes around doors and windows area. Recent weather-stripping home insulation materials are sold at lower rates but have shown good results in minimizing loss of warmth and money is warming outside air. These materials are not difficult to install so that you can ‘do it yourself’ quite easily. You only need to assure temperature level must be above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. To maximise efficacy of these insulation materials for a prolonged period, make sure the area is dry and clean.

3. Select expansion foam to insulate small spaces – Expansion foam based home insulation materials have shown utmost benefits when fitted in small gaps or openings letting hot air outside. These areas can be small openings that allow plumbing pipes enters into house, little spaces beneath electric switch plates, gaps created for running cable, internet and electricity connection lines. Since, these small spaces in total radiate great quantity of heat to escape from house, therefore, filling these spaces with home insulation will save a lot of money and energy resources. You should not also ignore your basement areas from the list of areas should receive home insulation measures as crawlspaces and home basements comprise numerous small openings allow heat leakage. Recycled paper based home insulation materials work the best for filling up these gaps.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/home-insulation-turn-your-house-environment-friendly-in-just-3-steps-1026837.html

About the Author:
An article author Diya Kapoor is providing information about home insulation and cavity wall insulation . Home insulation grants are now available to insulate your homes. I have also taken insulation grants for my home and really enjoying it.