Reduce Utility Bill

Homeowners expect to get a bill from their utility company each month, but opening one for a particularly expensive month can be a real shocker. If your bills seem consistently higher than what they should be, it’s time to look for hidden energy drains and consider some changes that can make a huge difference.

Consider these home improvement solutions to take a huge bite out of your energy bill:

The sun’s rays beat down on your roof, increasing the temperature in your entire house. Your air conditioner has to work hard to counteract these intense temperatures and that means a high energy bill. The best way to defend your home from this type of heat is to install reflective radiant barrier insulation in your attic, especially if your AC unit or duct work is present.

Radiant barrier insulation, such as Enerflex, reduces heat transfer between your roof and the attic floor where insulation is typically installed. Enerflex radiant barrier will reflect up to 96 percent of the radiant heat energy from the sun back through your roof, making your attic space up to 30 degrees cooler. A cooler attic leads to a more comfortable and consistent temperature throughout your home and a decreased workload on your air conditioner and other appliances. This also leads to a lower utility bill.

See demonstration video here.

Look for leaks

No matter what time of year it is, having even small leaks in your windows or doors is like letting money, literally, float away. Just an 1/8-inch crack all the way around a doorway creates the same air loss as a 6-inch square hole in the middle of your door, according to the Edison Electric Institute.    

There are various ways to check for window and door leaks, from holding a candle flame near the crack and gauging how much the flame moves to sliding a piece of paper through the opening to see if it catches or tears. If you find a leak, the easiest solution is to add weather-stripping around doors and to caulk windows.  Remember to check once a year to see if any repairs or replacements are needed.

Swap the bulbs

You’ve likely heard plenty about switching to more energy efficient light bulbs, but maybe you’re not sure if it really makes a difference. Consider this: homes that use Energy Star qualified light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and they last at least six times longer.

Additionally, an incandescent lamp is really more of a heater than a light, with nearly 90 percent of the input energy being converted and lost in waste heat rather than light, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. All those little heaters warm up your home fast and you have to turn on fans and your air conditioner to regulate the temperature. Switch your light bulbs and the savings will follow.

Keeping energy bills low is a challenge, but with the right strategies you reduce your bill and help the environment, a win-win for everyone.

Check out some of our past energy savings tips at our Go Green - Energy Efficiency in Your Home blog.

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.

Want to save money by reducing utility bills and be more comfortable while doing it? Enerflex radiant barrier—a highly reflective, double-sided, multilayered material that blocks up to 96% of radiant energy when installed in new and existing homes—has qualified for the American Recovery Tax Credit for insulation. This could equate to savings of 10 percent up to $500.

Made in America, Enerflex is two layers of tear-resistant foil, laminated and reinforced with a poly scrim for tear and puncture resistance. Double-sided for efficiency, Enerflex offers radiant barrier panels that are precut to 16- and 24-inches on center, and does not require tools to install. Enerflex is also available in rolls for stapling to rafters. Both radiant barrier products are backed by a 15-year limited warranty.  It installs between rafters to the underside of a roof and on other vertical surfaces in an attic to reduce solar heat gain into the home. It also reduces heat transfer by thermal radiation across the air space between the roof and attic floor, keeping an attic up to 30 degrees cooler. In cool weather, Enerflex helps prevent radiant energy from leaving the home and reduces heat loss, which adds up to significant energy cost savings.

Enerflex is also ENERGY STAR® approved and allows specifiers to earn up to five LEED points under EA 1 and MR 5. Installing Enerflex in certain applications may qualify for state and local government tax credits.

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

Reduced Energy Usage, Lower Utility Bills.
Since traditional insulation does not prevent transfer of radiant heat, once the insulation has absorbed the maximum amount of heat, the heat is transferred to the space around it and eventually into the living spaces below. Easy to install radiant barrier foil (metalized film) like Enerflex can block up to 97% of the suns radiant heat absorbed through your roof surface, resulting in a 30-degree reduction in attic temperature and big time energy savings. See this short video clip on how to reduce utility bills by installing Enerflex Radiant Barrier attic foil.

Because warm air rises, radiant barrier foil installed in your attic will also prevent heat from escaping. This will save on heating costs in the cold season and provide a more consistent and comfortable indoor temperature. See how Enerflex works.

Extend the Life of A/C Units.
In addition to energy savings, another significant benefit of installing a radiant foil barrier in your attic is by reducing wear a tear in your air conditioning unit and furnace. By installing radiant barrier attic foil you can help reduce repair and replacement costs and possibly extend the life of both your heating and cooling units.

See the Enerflex YouTube Channel for additional videos on how radiant barriers can help control energy costs.

Cooling a home during the summer with an air conditioning unit can account for nearly 50 percent of an average homeowner’s utility bill. And in the hottest regions of the country, cooling off with central air can generate up to 70 percent of your home’s utility bill.

But not to fear: There are several ways to curb your electricity use this summer. One simple way is to crank up the thermostat by one degree during warm weather. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you can save up to 3 percent on your summer energy bill for every degree you raise your thermostat for 24 hours. Set your thermostat between 72°F and 78°F. Each degree setting below 78°F will increase your electricity use by as much as 4 percent—and that’s sure to add up to several hundred dollars over many hot summer days.

Other ways to reduce your home’s cooling costs include making sure your air conditioning unit is running at peak performance, replacing the HVAC filter at least every three months or as needed, turning on ceiling fans and making sure they are blowing down not up, opening windows during cooler evening hours, closing curtains and blinds where sunlight radiates heat into the home, and sealing all air leaks that let cool air escape outside.

If you like do-it-yourself home improvement projects, installing a radiant barrier in your attic is one of the most effective energy-saving projects that’s sure to help you save precious dollars on your A/C bill. What’s more, you can receive a 10 percent tax credit—up to $500—from the government.

A radiant barrier or radiant insulation works in your home similar to the way a reflective foil car shade works in your car. Just as a car shade keeps the interior of an auto cooler when it's parked in the sun, radiant barriers keep your home's interior cooler when installed in your attic where the sun's radiant energy is absorbed.

New do-it-yourself energy-saving home improvement products like Energy Star-certified Enerflex Radiant Barrier (class A fire rated metalized film) are easy for homeowners to install themselves, and quickly realize reduced monthly electric bills. Enerflex Radiant Barrier is unique in that one person can install it, without the need for tools, as it flexes into place between the rafters on the underside of a roof.

An attic radiant barrier is a safe, proven building material for reducing the strain on a home’s air conditioner. And that leads to significant energy savings. 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.

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

Radiant barriers reduce the radiant heat gain that permeates a home when the sun beats down on it. Studies on installed radiant barrier products show attic temperatures are typically reduced up to 30 percent during the summer months, which can translate to a 30-degree heat reduction on hot summer days. In fact, a radiant barrier is most effective in the summer months as it dramatically reduces the workload on your air conditioning unit. In general, installing a radiant barrier can help homeowners reduce air conditioner use and save as much as 20 percent on electrical bills.

“Based on my 30 years of experience in teaching energy efficiency, I believe that if you live in the South and your ductwork is in the attic, you will greatly benefit from installing Enerflex Radiant Barrier,“ said Doug Rye, a licensed architect and the foremost expert on home energy efficiency.
 
“We installed Enerflex Radiant Barrier in an Alabama home last summer, and determined that the attic temperature was nearly 30 degrees cooler than before. When the attic temperature and the ductwork are 30 degrees cooler, one should have better comfort and lower utility bills,” said Rye.

Easily installed Enerflex Radiant Barrier makes spending less on air conditioning a breeze—something to think about as gas prices and other expenses zoom in on your pocketbook.

View the Enerflex Radiant Barrier installation video.

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.

Radiant barriers have been around for decades, and in the last few years savvy homeowners have discovered two related benefits of installing Energy Star radiant barrier. The two major benefits of installing reflective radiant barrier include maintaining a more consistent indoor temperature, which leads to the second benefit of, reduced energy costs.

The main reason energy costs are reduced is because your home's air conditioning unit will run more efficiently and less frequently throughout the hot summer days. And in hot climates like Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and many other southern states, a reflective radiant barrier like Enerflex can help you reduce your utility bill by as much as 30%. But, it is very important that your attic has the recommended insulation installed for your region and adequate ventilation for the heat to escape back outside.

In the winter, Enerflex Radiant Barrier will help reduce indoor heat loss that comes up through your ceiling. The same principle is applied – the amount of energy / heat moving up toward the radiant barrier is reflected back into your attic and down into your home.

Installing an approved radiant barrier in certain applications may qualify for state and local government tax credits. Many energy companies also offer rebates to their customers for installing an attic radiant barrier. Look for programs in your area to take advantage of these savings.

See more information and videos on energy efficiency and radiant barriers in my "Go Green" blog.

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.

If you’re remodeling an older home, there are many options for updating with green principles in mind. Indoor air quality, water conservation and sustainable building products are considerations when planning an environmentally friendly home. If you’re looking for the biggest bottom-line and long-term effect, let reduced energy consumption lead the way for your remodel.

In warmer months, air conditioning is a leading cause of increased utility bills. In hot weather, roof shingles absorb the sun’s heat—which in turn heats up the sheathing below and radiates heat toward the floor or the attic. To reflect up to 96 percent of this radiant energy back toward the roof, install Enerflex Radiant Barrier.

A Centex Corporation and Energy Center of Appalachian State University study has determined that when radiant barriers are installed in an attic, the air conditioning system works more efficiently and electric bills decrease. The study found that when radiant barrier was installed in test homes, there was a drop of 23 degrees Fahrenheit in the attic’s peak temperature, a 20 percent reduction in operating time of the air conditioning system during seven hours of peak attic temperatures, and an efficiency improvement of 57 percent for cooled air coming through a home’s air ducts.

Energy Star approved Enerflex Radiant Barrier’s simple, between-rafters tension fit allows easy, tool-free installation. And Enerflex is great for existing homes. Watch our step-by-step “how to” video and see how easy it is to install Enerflex Radiant Barrier.

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

2009 case study findings at the Energy Center at Appalachian State University showed a 20 percent reduction in an air conditioner unit's run time during seven hours of peak attic temperature. This study also indicated that the installation of a radiant barrier in an attic can make it easier for your air conditioner to do its job in the summer heat. That translates to lower electricity usage, which also impacts the carbon footprint of homes and will help reduce your utility bill.  See the complete study.

Some radiant barriers, like Enerflex, are easy to install, in both new construction or during renovation of older homes. Radiant barrier foil is used in addition to insulation, as the reflective nature of a reflective foil barrier will help reduce the movement of radiant energy—which accounts for most of the heat gain in buildings.

Key findings of the radiant barrier study include:

• A 23-degree drop in the peak attic temperature occurred in a home outfitted with radiant heat barrier versus a similar home without the barrier;
•  A 20 percent reduction in the run-time of the air conditioning unit during the seven hours of peak attic temperatures; and
• The radiant barrier improved the efficiency of cooled air delivered through the air ducts by 57 percent during this period.

Enerflex Radiant Barrier qualifies for the American Recovery Tax Credit for insulation—equating to savings of 30 percent, up to $1,500. Enerflex is also ENERGY STAR® approved and allows specifiers to earn up to five LEED points under EA 1 and MR 5. Installing Enerflex in certain applications may qualify for state and local government tax credits.

Installing radiant barrier foil in your attic reduces energy use.
Traditional insulation doesn’t prevent radiant heat transfer. After traditional insulation absorbs as much heat as able, excess heat fills the space around it and makes its way down into the living areas. This increases energy use—and utility bills. Enerflex Radiant Barrier foil (metallic film) is easy to install. And it’s able to block as much as 96 percent of the sun’s radiant heat that your roof surface absorbs, for cool results including ample energy savings and a 30-degree drop in attic temperature. This brief video clip shows how installing Enerflex Radiant Barrier foil in your attic will reduce your utility bills.

But Enerflex doesn’t only keep things cool. Heat rises … and when it’s cold outside, the radiant barrier foil installed in your attic prevents heat from escaping and helps lower your heating costs. You’ll also find the indoor temperature consistently more comfortable. Find out how Enerflex works.

Another good reason to install a radiant barrier in your home? Reduced wear and tear on your air conditioner and furnace.
 

Give your air conditioning unit and furnace a break: Install radiant barrier foil in your attic. Enerflex Radiant Barrier attic foil will help you reduce repair expenses, lower replacement costs and even give your heating and cooling units a longer service life.

As more attention is paid to reducing home energy and increasing green building, radiant barrier insulation is spending time in the limelight, especially in hot climates throughout the U.S. like Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona. But what in the heck is a radiant barrier — and why should radiant barrier installation be at the top of your home improvement project list?

Enerflex radiant barrier and other radiant barrier insulation are made from metalized film or foil materials that reflect the sun’s radiant heat when installed in an attic space. Do radiant barriers conserve energy? Sure — that’s their job! Just be sure you understand what your radiant barrier’s savings claims mean. For example, if a product claims to reflect 90 percent of your structure’s radiant heat, that doesn't mean your utility bills will be reduced by 90 percent. 

How do radiant barriers work?
Here’s some background. Heat transfer is by conduction, by convection or radiant. Conduction transfers heat from one molecule to the next. (Think about how quickly that cold pop can warmed up as you held it. Insulation might’ve kept things cooler.) Convection involves air that moving—heat that could be reduced by a fan, perhaps. Radiant heat is harder to explain, so we’ll simplify it: You feel radiant heat in the air around you, on a toasty car seat, or beating down through the roof of your house. When roofing materials absorb the sun’s heat, that heat transfers to your attics—and that’s why your attic air gets so hot. Because that heat has no way out, it’s absorbed by insulation and ceiling drywall before making its way into the living spaces below. And now those rooms below are warmer, too. Watch a video to see how Enerflex Radiant Barrier works.

To reflect that heat and prevent it from heating up your home in warm weather, use a reflective radiant barrier. More than 90 percent of the radiant heat striking a shiny aluminum foil surface is reflected away. Your climate, your attic insulation, any shade trees and your attics ventilation (to an extent) all have an effect on your cooling costs. Some studies show that homes with duct work or HVAC equipment in the attic will realize the greatest energy saving benefits from radiant barrier insulation: If leaky ducts are drawing in steamy attic air, your HVAC system is working harder to cool that air—and it’s not working hard enough to cool your warmer living spaces.   

Enerflex Radiant Barrier could lower your attic’s temperature by up to 35 degrees. A cooler attic means lower cooling costs (and heating costs). It also means that the rooms below will be consistently more comfortable...

Watch this video to find out how easy Enerflex Radiant Barrier is installed.

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.