Install Radiant Barrier Foil and Get Tax Credits
Better Home Insulation Plus Other Energy Star Applications will Reduce Bills
May 10, 2009
Adding attic insulation is a great way to make the home more energy efficient and lower cooling bills in the summer and heating bills in the winter. It is also eligible for an energy tax credit. Although insulation slows thermal transference, it also retains the heat energy.
Two products stop heat from going through the attic into the home, radiant barrier foil and paint. Installation reduces utility bills and capture an income tax credit.
Adding attic insulation is a great way to make the home more energy efficient and lower cooling bills in the summer and heating bills in the winter. It is also eligible for an energy tax credit. Although insulation slows thermal transference, it also retains the heat energy.
The purpose of radiant barrier products is to stop transference in the first place. There are decisions to be made. Does the situation call for using paint and foil or just one?
Radiant Barrier Foil vs Paint
Effectiveness of the product is measured by emittance, or how much heat is passed through. The lower the number, the better.
The paint is made up of a paint and powder mixture. The powder is usually composed of microscopic porcelain beads and flakes of aluminum. When sprayed on the underside of the roof sheathing, it reflects thermal energy (heat) back out in the summer and back in in the winter.
Emittance is one way to judge the efficiency of these products. The emittance of the most popular brands of paint varies between 0.23 and 0.90. Clearly, shopping around makes sense.
Energy Q radiant barrier foil on the other hand, has an emittance value of 0.03. This is clearly going to make the home more energy efficient. Using both paint and foil really seals the deal.
Claiming the Income Tax Credit
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended the tax credit through 2010 and also raised it from 10% to 30%. Note that this applies to the cost of the insulating material and not the installation labor cost, making this a great DIY project.
The cap has also been raised from $500 to $1500, so it just makes sense to add any additional insulation needed at the same time.
The homeowner is responsible for maintaining records, notably the manufacturer's certification statement and the purchase receipt.
Tools Needed for Radiant Barrier Foil Installation
- Utility knife
- Metallic duct tape (not the ordinary utility type)
- Tape measure
- Telescoping paint roller pole (may be needed to position foil in hard-to-reach areas in some attics when installing using the floor method)
- Knee pads
- Can of spray paint
Procedure for Foil Installation
There are two methods. The one followed depends on the attic and personal preference. The first is simply stapling the foil to the rafters. This is the route to go when the attic is going to be used for storage. This process is straightforward.
The other method, which is popular in the southern US, is to simply lay the foil on the attic floor, on top of the attic insulation.
Tips for Applying Radiant Barrier Foil to the Attic Floor
- Measure the sheets and roll them up outside. It is not necessary to make one complete run. The sheets should be overlapped.
- Only measure and cut a few sections at a time. It's surprising how many details only reveal themselves when the installer is on his belly, sweating, on top of itching fiberglass insulation, trying to straighten out those last energy-saving inches of foil.
- Roll out and cut sheets on the driveway if possible. There's plenty of room and it's needed.
- Use polarized sunglasses when rolling out and cutting. This stuff is like a mirror.
- Cut several rolls at once and label them. Just a bit of masking tape and a Sharpie will do the job.
- Take your time. Everyone wants to finish up quickly, but the devil is in the details. Add the extra insulation, fix the ductwork.
- Overlap seams by 3 or 4 inches
- Spray-paint the foil where it is safe to step – plywood or whatever. It's important to make this obvious to the HVAC person or plumber.
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