What is Radiant Barrier and how does it help?
Radiant Barrier is unique form of insulation that is beneficial for any residential home or commercial business. Radiant
Barrier is installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, reducing heating and cooling
energy use. It is recognized by the EPA as a heat shield that will block out at least 90% of radiant heat. The usual insulation found in most homes today is unable to meet that
standard. That leaves a lot more work for your air conditioning unit which means you are paying a higher electric bill
than you need to. When
Radiant Barrier is installed in a home the EPA has determined that at least 17% in energy savings can be realized immediately depending
on climate, building configuration, site, family size and lifestyle. Most customers experience a much higher savings. The Heat Busters have
been trained to evaluate your home or business and advise you of your personal savings
potential.
The type of
Radiant Barrier that The Heat Busters use is a perforated material, with the density akin to heavy construction paper and
blocks 97% of radiant heat. The perforations in the Radiant Barrier allow water vapor to still travel through the attic
and out through the ventilation. This is important because water vapor generated from breathing, plants, animals, cooking and
bathing still needs to transition from your living space out through the attic ventilation.
What if I already have plenty
of insulation in my attic? Do I really need Radiant Barrier?
Regardless of how much insulation
you may have in your attic - 6 inches or 3 feet - adding Radiant Barrier will save on
your heating and cooling expense and keep you much more comfortable.
Fiberglass insulation only absorbs heat entering
your attic up to its' rated R-Value. Imagine a sponge that soaks up all the water it can and eventually all excess
water begins to pour out the sides and out on the counter top. This is the same reaction with fiberglass insulation.
Fiberglass insulation can only hold so much heat (R-Value) and then the excess starts to pour out in to the living area.
Radiant Barrier acts as a reflector.
Allowing only a small percentage of radiant heat into the attic. Only 3% to be more specific!
The next question is: What about that 3%
that makes it through?
That is where the insulation in the home comes in. Due to the fact that the insulation
has had such a work load taken off when Radiant Barrier was installed, it allows for much more room for the remaining heat
to be absorbed, as opposed to no Radiant Barrier, where that insulation is being overworked.
