Best Radiant Barrier

Seal Air Leaks

Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a big impact on improving your comfort level and reducing utility bills.

Common locations for air leaks:

• Wiring and plumbing entrances
• Recessed lighting
• Basement rim joists
• Windows and doors
• Electrical and gas service entrances
• Outdoor water faucets
• Where dryer vents pass through walls

Turn on Ceiling Fans

By using a ceiling fan you can then increase the thermostat setting a few degrees, resulting in reduced air conditioning energy cost.

In the summer, make sure all ceiling fans are turned on and spin in the counterclockwise direction. The airflow produces a cooling effect, making you feel cooler and more comfortable. In the winter, when the furnace is on and the heat rises to the ceiling, use the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This creates an updraft, which directs warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step!

Change out incandescent light bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) consume about 75 percent less energy than a typical incandescent light bulb. And CFLs last up to 10X longer than an incandescent bulb. CFLs are affordable and are designed to fit into your current fixtures. Installing CFLs in your home will help save up to $30 dollars in electricity cost during the life of the bulb.

Add the proper amount of attic insulation

Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In winter, the heat moves directly from heated living areas to the outdoors and to adjacent unheated attics, garages, and basements - wherever there is a difference in temperature. During the summer, heat moves from outdoors to the house interior. To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner. Insulating ceilings, walls, and floors decreases the heating or cooling needed by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.

There are several common types of insulation — fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. Reflective insulation (or radiant barrier) is another insulating product which can help save energy in hot, sunny climates.

Install a Radiant Barrier in the attic

Radiant barriers, like Energy Star certified Enerflex®, work by reducing heat transfer of thermal radiation across the air space between the roof deck (attic ceiling) and the attic floor, where conventional insulation is normally placed. In other words radiant barriers assist in blocking or reflecting heat transfer.

A radiant barrier installed in the attic works by reducing the amount of radiant heat on various components in the attic. These are typically thermal attic insulation, duct work, HVAC equipment, and other building components. Since the amount of radiant heat contacting the top of the insulation is less than it would have been without a radiant barrier, the insulation surface temperature is lower and the heat flow through the insulation is reduced. The best radiant barrier insulation, such as Enerflex, will significantly reduce the amount of energy radiated from the top surface of the insulation.

Enerflex qualifies for a 2011 tax $500 tax credit!

Request a sample of Enerflex Radiant Barrier.

See this blog post on how installing a radiant barrier in your attic can extend the life of your A/C unit.

Recently a highly acclaimed architectural firm in Texas published an article that helps identify ways for new and existing homeowners to make their dwelling "green friendly". Gary Gene Olp, Founder and President of GGO Architects outlines steps to becoming energy efficient. Olp and his firm promotes green and energy savings by installing a radiant barrier in the attic. Read on!

Dallas - Sustainability and energy efficiency have become significant selling factors during the home-buying and home-building process. In honor of Earth Day, Gary Gene Olp, Founder and President of GGO Architects, offers key questions to ask when that infamous word “green” makes its way into the conversation.

“Sustainable living is about interpreting natural processes in a modern way,” said Olp. “Many homebuilders and sellers make green claims, pointing to green products utilized in the building process. However, it’s the overall design that constitutes a sustainable design, not just the products used.”

Olp’s involvement in the “green” movement dates back to the early 1970s. He lays claim to the design of the first LEED Platinum home in Texas in 2007, further substantiating his “green authority.” Here are three questions to determine if the home you are buying or building is truly green:

1. How energy efficient is it really? Ask the builder to quantify what the expected annual utility cost will be. With current green building codes, Energy Star ratings and online energy modeling software, this is easily derived from the R value of insulation installed, the quality of the windows and the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating for hot water, heating and air conditioning. If they cannot provide a reasonable answer, perhaps their claims are more guesstimates than engineered performance. Windows should be insulated Southern Low-e, walls should have a minimum of R 24 and the roof should have a minimum of R 40 insulation. The heating and air conditioning can easily have SEER ratings of 16-18 for little extra cost.
2. Demand that a radiant barrier is properly installed on the underside of roof decking. This simple feature is perhaps the most significant design component in our hot Texas climate. Properly installed, it can repel up to 75 percent of the heat gained from the sun in the summer. Every British thermal unit (BTU) of heat reradiated away from the attic of your home means fewer BTUs of cooling required to keep it comfortable, which means smaller utility bills. It is important to make sure the radiant barrier is the metal foil type, and not a faux spray-on paint coating.
3. Do not fall pretty to smart Eco gadgets; instead look for the real thing. Take a compass with you when looking at a new home, and check to see which direction most of the windows are facing. Large amounts of windows on the west are certain to spin your smart electric meter into a frenzy. If most of the windows are on the north, the home may be cooler but generally dark with little natural light. The best orientation for windows is on the east and south for good natural light. Be sure any windows on the south are properly shaded with broad overhangs or large deciduous trees to block out the intense summer sun from passing directly into interior spaces. That same southern sunshine will be appreciated as it reaches deep inside to provide warmth and daylight on cold, gloomy winter days.

And for those who already own a home, it’s not too late to achieve energy efficiency. Homeowners can:

• Install a radiant barrier in the attic. It works equally well for an existing home as it does for new construction.
• Shade the windows facing south and especially those facing west. The easiest, albeit shower way is to plant native deciduous shade trees to block the intensity of the summer sun. Consider adding alternative shading devices like a fixed awning with decorative brackets, hurricane shutters or those really great aluminum awnings from the 30’s and 40’s, which bounce wonderful diffused light back inside.
• Upgrade lighting to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LED lamps, replace aging appliances with newer high efficiency Energy Star models, and maintain your HVAC equipment and/or at the end of its useful life replace it with a higher SEER rated unit.

Olp, (American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, LEED AP) is the 2011 chairman of the North Texas Green Council Chapter of The U.S. Green Building Council. Olp’s work has been published extensively for the quality of design and to substantiate efforts to push the concept of sustainability.

“The amount homeowners can save with an energy-efficient home is mind-boggling, and it is not just for the elite – green is affordable and attainable for everyone. You just have to know the questions to ask to get started on the right path,” Olp said.

Read more about metalized film radiant barrier in this past blog post.

About GGO Architects
GGO Architects is a highly acclaimed private architectural practice in Dallas, Texas. Recognized for its innovative contemporary designs that feature a sustainable approach, each project represents a commitment to environmental responsibility. GGO Architects is noted for cutting-edge “Green Buildings” that incorporate energy efficiency, passive solar techniques, natural day lighting, non-toxic materials, advanced building science and enhanced indoor air quality. Sustainability and long-term durability influence every aspect of project development. www.ggoarchitects.com

Credit: dBusinessNews.

By installing the best radiant barrier foil insulation, such as Enerflex, you can reflect up to 96% of the radiant heat energy from the sun back through your roof. As a result, your attic space is up to 30° cooler, which leads to a more comfortable and consistent temperature throughout your home as well as energy savings.

Radiant Barrier / Reflective Insulation Reduces the Workload on Your AC Unit

This increased performance of your insulation and duct work, and decreased workload on your air conditioner and other appliances means Enerflex reflective insulation will pay for itself in utility bill savings in a relatively short period of time.

Here are three tips for reducing the workload on your AC unit:

1. Turn ceiling fans on to recirculate hot air that rises and get cold air off the ground
2. Install a programmable thermostat and have it set to turn on only when you're home
3. Change your furnace filter every three months or before it gets too dirty

Qualifying for a Tax Credit with Enerflex Radiant Barrier Insulation
Enerflex Radiant Barrier is Energy Star certified and qualifies for a tax credit through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Residential applications that qualify for the credit (when properly installed per installation instructions) are attics, walls and crawl spaces. Simply download the Enerflex Tax Credit Certificate for your tax records to save 10% up to $500.

Safe and Sustainable
Enerflex will not harm your shingles. A normal radiant barrier may raise the temperature of your shingles 2-5 degrees and will not affect the life or warranty of your shingles. Enerflex can help you qualify for 5 LEED points under EA1 and MR5, is an ENERGY STAR rated product and has a Class-A fire rating.

For more information and videos on energy efficiency and radiant barriers, visit our "Go Green" blog.

Simply put, no. In order for a product (paint, foil or metallic film) to be classified as a radiant barrier, defined by ASTM, the product must produce at least 90% reflectivity. The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association (RIMA) says the reflectivity of "radiant barrier paints" range from 10% to 75%, which will provide drastically different results compared to the best radiant barrier insulation. In fact, the application of a ceramic radiant barrier paint to the underside of roof is not an easy do-it-yourself project as the fumes are noxious (VOC respirator needed). If a paint does not conform to ASTM C 1321, "Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems in Building Systems", it should not be considered for interior applications in the attic.

In addition, before you consider purchasing reflective paint or a reflective metal barrier, make sure it is Energy Star certified and has a Class A fire rating. Typically any Energy Star qualifying product will have a corresponding label/logo on the packaging.

Energy Star certified Enerflex Radiant Barrier is a metalized film that has a class A/1 rating for fire and smoke. It also meets the new mounting requirements for ASTM – E84 under E2599. ASTM E2599 is the new industry standard which will be reflected in the 2012 building codes. ASTM standards are adopted by organization such as IECC, IBC, IRC, and ICC.

See how easy it is to install Enerflex in this short video.

Saving money around the house continues to be a major pursuit for homeowners nationwide. And with a focus on “going green”, savvy homeowners are looking for ways to cut energy use to reduce utility bills and their home’s carbon footprint.

There are dozens of ways to curb energy use around the home. Sealing drafts by applying caulk and weather-stripping around windows and doors, and applying foam sealer around drafty outlets and piping leading outside can save up to 5 percent on heating costs alone. Most important, installing the proper amount of attic insulation with the proper airflow is generally the best way to save on home energy use.

If you are among the millions of Americans who enjoy do-it-yourself home improvement projects, installing a radiant barrier in the attic space above your home is one of the most effective energy-saving projects to consider.

While radiant barriers are not a new concept, new products on the market are making it easier for homeowners to install them and realize reductions in their energy bills—every month. Overall, a radiant barrier can save an average homeowner up to 15 percent on utility bills.

Rick Jordan of EcoRite Products, a major radiant barrier manufacturer, says the benefits of installing a radiant barrier have long been known by professionals in the construction, roofing, heating and cooling, and energy industries. Only recently have products been manufactured specifically for the DIY installer market.

Jordan explains that a radiant barrier is a product that is installed in the attic—between the rafters on the underside of a roof—to reduce the radiant heat gain that permeates a home when the sun is beating down on it. Radiant barrier, a particularly effective product for summer months, also reduces heat loss from a roof during the winter, which in turn reduces the workload on your furnace and lowers your heating bill.

Early, less-effective versions of radiant barriers included spray-on metallic paints, reflective radiant barrier chips or products known simply as attic foil. Installation was cumbersome, often requiring special tools, adhesives or multiple installers, and the low flash point on the older type of foil created added dangers in the event of a house fire.

It’s important to choose the best radiant barrier that is Energy Star approved and made of metalized film, not perforated aluminum foil. Today’s radiant barriers are far more sophisticated, yet some are so simple to install that no tools are required.

About Enerflex Radiant Barrier
Enerflex Radiant Barrier is an example of the best new radiant barrier technology. The product is available nationwide through a network of lumber and building materials dealers, as well as through major retailers. The product is Energy Star approved and was named one of the “Best New Products of 2010” by Professional Remodeler, a leading trade magazine.

Enerflex Radiant Barrier comes in rolls or panels, pre-cut for 16” and 24” widths for installation ease. The radiant barrier panels literally flex or “snap” into place between the rafters, with no tools needed. This makes it possible for installation to be a simple, one-person, do-it-yourself job that can be completed in a matter of hours. Watch a video on installing Enerflex radiant barrier.

Studies on installed radiant barrier products show that attic temperatures are typically reduced by a full 30 percent during the summer months, which can translate to 30 degrees on a hot summer day. In addition, the radiant barrier keeps heat from escaping from the home through the roof during the winter, so not only does your HVAC system get a break, but you can realize energy savings year-round.

Unlike the earlier versions of radiant foil barriers, Enerflex is made of a highly reflective, multilayered, metallic film that is protected by a tough poly scrim that keeps it from tearing or being punctured. The product is made in America, comes with a 15-year warranty, and has achieved a Class A/Class 1 fire rating.

In really hot climates, homeowners are finding other uses for radiant barriers. In Texas and Arizona, for example, many homeowners keep garages cool by installing radiant barrier insulation on the inside of garage doors and walls. Outbuildings on farms or ranches, or outdoor workshops can also be kept cooler in the summer when the product is installed between rafters under the roof.

Jordan of EcoRite Products says adding a radiant barrier in the cooler months makes installation safe and more comfortable for the installer.

Radiant barriers are proven environmentally friendly building materials for reducing energy bills and reducing the strain on a home’s HVAC system. And when you can spend a few hours over a weekend and complete a project that saves money month after month, it’s hard to ignore the benefits.

When the sun heats a roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot. A large portion of this heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces, including the air ducts and the attic floor. Radiant barrier / radiant foil barrier insulation reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic.

A radiant barrier's performance is determined by three factors:

1. Emissivity (or emittance) – the ratio of the radiant energy (heat) leaving (being emitted by) a surface to that of a black body at the same temperature and with the same area. It's expressed as a number a between 0 and 1. The higher the number, the greater the emitted radiation.
2. Reflectivity (or reflectance) – a measure of how much radiant heat is reflected by a material. It's also expressed as a number between 0 and 1 (sometimes it is given as a percentage between 0 and 100%). The higher the number, the greater the reflectivity.
3. The angle the incident radiation strikes the surface—a right angle (perpendicular) usually works best.

Five key benefits of installing a radiant barrier

1. Reduced heating and cooling costs (lower utility bills) 
2. Increased comfort levels
3. Increases building's energy efficiency 
4. Keeps heat out during the summer
5. Keeps heat in during the winter

Professional Remodeler Magazine, a leading business to business remodeling trade publication, has selected Enerflex Radiant Barrier, by Universal Forest products, as one of the best new products for 2010. The 101 Best New Products is an editor's choice award; Enerflex radiant barrier was listed first under the Structural, Insulation and House-wrap category. The 101 Best New Products article is featured in the November 2010 issue of Professional Remodeler magazine.

About Enerflex Radiant Barrier Insulation
ENERGY STAR approved Enerflex radiant foil barrier insulation is a highly reflective, double-sided, multilayer material that blocks up to 96 percent of the sun's radiant heat. It installs between rafters to the underside of a roof and on vertical surfaces (gable ends) in an attic to reduce solar heat gain into the home. Enerflex is available in 16 and 24 inches on center in precut panels and does not require tools to install. Enerflex is available in rolls and panels and is backed by a 15-year limited warranty. Enerflex also qualifies for the 2010 Energy Tax Credit for a 30% savings or up to $1,500.

For more information and videos, visit the Enerflex newsroom.

Simply put… YES, radiant barriers work. Now don’t worry, I’m not just going to stop there, you will get a detailed explanation.

The reason a radiant barrier works at reducing energy costs is because they lessen the strain on a structure's heating and cooling system. Regardless of whether or not you are heating a structure, or cooling it, radiant foil barrier will stop the transmission of radiant heat (95-97% of it anyway).

Radiant heat is the most efficient form of heat transfer there is. It’s more efficient than convection and conduction put together. The best radiant barrier foil, stops at least 95-97% of radiant heat transmission.

What this means is that in the summer, when the sun is beating down on your roof and radiant heat is raising the temperature in your attic and interior spaces, a properly installed radiant barrier will drastically reduce that radiant heat gain. Vice versa, in the winter, when you are trying hard to keep your home warm, while the heat is rising and leaving your home through the ceiling, properly installed reflective radiant barrier insulation will reduce that heat loss by reflecting radiant heat back into the home.

Some individuals say that reflective radiant barriers are not effective and point to a specific government website (www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_tables.htm) as their proof. However, after thoroughly analyzing that data, it only shows that radiant barriers are not effective in certain circumstances: when massive amounts of insulation (R38) are used and where there is no heating or cooling duct-work located in the attic. I will agree, that if you don't have any heating or cooling duct-work in the attic and your ceiling / attic space is very well insulated, then a radiant barrier will do very little towards reducing your energy bills.

Being from the construction industry however, I must say that many homes, especially in the southern regions, do have duct-work and air handlers located in their attic spaces, so even if they have the proper amount of insulation, a radiant barrier would still be quite beneficial.

There are many ways to remodel an older home with green principles in mind. Contemplating indoor air quality and water conservation, and the use of sustainable, green building products all play a part in the planning process of environmentally friendly homes. But reduced energy consumption has the biggest long-term, bottom-line affect for a home owner once the last nail is driven.

Air conditioning is a major cause of high utility bills during summer months. On a hot day, heat from the sun is absorbed by the roof shingles and warms the sheathing below, which radiates heat toward the attic floor. By installing Enerflex radiant barrier, up to 96% of this radiant energy will be reflected back toward the roof.

Air conditioners will have an easier time doing their job and electric bills drop when radiant barriers are added to attics, a study by Centex Corporation and the Energy Center of Appalachian State University has determined. When a radiant barrier was installed in test homes, the study found:

• A 23-degree F drop in the peak attic temperature
• A 20% reduction in the AC unit’s run time during the 7 hours of peak attic temps
• A 57% efficiency improvement in the cooled air delivered through the air ducts.

The Energy Star approved Enerflex radiant barrier is best for existing homes and installs easily, with no tools, via a simple tension fit between rafters.

To see just how easy Enerflex radiant barrier installs, watch our step-by-step how-to video.