How Does a Radiant Barrier Work?

Radiant barriers have high reflectivity values, allowing them to reflect 97% of the radiant heat that hits it. They also have super low emissivity values, which keep them from re-radiating that 3% of absorbed heat. This basically allows the radiant barrier to virtually stop all radiant heat transfer into and out of a home or building.

Because radiant heat is the most efficient type of heat transfer, blocking out radiant heat is one of the most effective ways of decreasing your monthly heating and cooling cost. In the summer, less radiant heat will enter your attic, making your AC system run more efficiently and in the winter, less heat will be lost through the attic, making your heater more efficient.

Radiant barriers are the most affordable, energy efficient retrofit installation that anyone can do to virtually any home or structure. We highly recommend Ra-flect Radiant Barriers, they are super strong, durable and very affordable.

What Is A Radiant Barrier?

A radiant barrier is a reflective insulation type system that offers a permanent way to reduce energy costs.

Radiant barriers are ‘technically’ not an insulation material, due to the fact they are only a thin sheet of reinforced aluminum foil, however with an air space of 3/4” or more, radiant barriers have a theoretical R-value of 53. Radiant barriers address radiation (Electromagnetic) heat transfer, the single most efficient type of heat transfer, by reflecting that radiation away from the radiant barrier.

A typical home will loose heat in the winter and gain heat in the summer and the majority of that heat is radiant heat, so stopping radiant heat transfer in both the winter and summer months is the most effective way to reduce energy cost. Typically a home can see a reduction in their utility expenses by over 17%. However, in hot humid climates where the majority of the electricity usage is used to cool the structure, over 40% reductions in heat gain have been observed.

For more information on radiant barriers, radiant barrier installation and some common radiant barrier frequently asked questions, just follow those links.