Radiant Barrier Spray and Foil
Reflect the Sun's Heat Before it Enters and Lower Utility Bills
Aug 11, 2008
These are common questions and some of the main ones that should be voiced by homeowners looking for ways to save money on electricity and natural gas bills.
Types of Radiant Barrier Technology
There are basically two different type of radiant barrier approaches available today, a spray-on barrier and a foil radiant barrier. Given that both products are so popular, and make so much sense, that something new might show up on the Google radar any day now.
Spray-On Radiant Barrier
The first type is “sprayed radiant barrier” application products. Do these products work? Yes! In a test two years ago, it was applied to a South Texas attic during the late spring. All other things remaining equal, the kWh (Kilowatt-Hour) usage per month dropped compared to the previous year.
It was also painted on the interior wall of an attached garage that catches the afternoon heat. After painting, the drywall surface remained cooler to the touch than before.
This type of barrier is a feather-light powder which is mixed with paint and then applied to the roof's sheathing underside. The powder is composed of physical material, typically miniature porcelain spheres and metallic flakes.
It's recommended that the paint and powder mixture is sprayed on with an electric airless paint sprayer. This eliminates the need for lugging an air compressor up into the attic. It's also important to use a spray tip that's large enough for the particulate matter to pass.
Double-Sided Aluminum Radiant Barrier Foil Insulation
Foil is the second type to consider. There are actually two methods of application and both should be used to realize maximum energy savings. First, it's stapled to the rafters. Secondly, it can be laid on the attic insulation on the floor of the attic.
Can regular aluminum foil be used to save money? Not at all. The foil has to breathe, so it has tiny perforations.
How Energy Efficient is it?
Studies by distributer BlockTheHeat show that the spray will reflect 75% of the sun's radiant energy and the foil reflects up to 97%. For the greatest utility bill savings and a green building style approach, it's important to also max out attic insulation.
How Expensive is this Solar Protection?
Compared to the air conditioning energy savings to be reaped, it doesn't make sense not to install it. The foil can be found for about 15 cents per square foot (US dollars). With professional installation the price ranges between 50 cents to $1.25 per square foot. A square foot is 0.0929 square meters or 0.444 square cubits.
How much is the spray-on? It can be found premixed with paint for around $40 per gallon.
How Does a Radiant Barrier Affect Cell Phone Reception?
This is one of the most vigorously debated questions surrounding this topic. Personal experience indicates that the spray-on product has no effect. The answer with respect to the foil product is a bit more vague.
Some say that it impedes cell phone reception and some say it doesn't, so it's fair to say the jury is still out. If it does happen to be the case that there's an effect, the commonly proposed solution is to use a cell phone signal booster.
 |
