Did you know that even if your home is already equipped with attic insulation, you could still be consuming much more energy than necessary to control the interior temperature of your home? That’s because typical attic insulation only reduces conductive and convective heat transfer. By installing a radiant barrier in your home, however, you would be adding a defense against radiant heat transfer, which is the number one cause of energy loss for homeowners.

In order to better comprehend how a radiant barrier works and how it can save you money in the long run, it’s important to first understand how the different types of heat transfer affect your home. When the heat transfers through to the inside of the roof-a process known as conduction. Traditional attic insulation works by absorbing the conductive heat and slowing it down. It does not, however, block out radiant heat, which is the heat that travels directly from the inside of your roof to the other solid surfaces of the attic. Ordinary insulation can’t block radiant heat because the fibers aren’t solid enough to take it in. A massive amount of heat gain in homes is due to radiant heat, and on cold days, a lot of heat loss is a result of radiant heat transfer, too. This means that if your attic insulation does not have a radiant barrier, it is really not doing much to stop heat transfer.

Radiant barriers are made of highly reflective material and cover the surfaces of the attic to deflect radiant heat. Radiant barriers have been proven to block around 97 percent of radiant heat. This is especially helpful if your home’s HVAC system is situated in the attic, because the radiant barrier will keep the system from getting hot, too. Since the living areas of your home won’t get as hot, your HVAC system won’t have to be working overtime and constantly running to keep your home’s interior at a consistent, comfortable temperature. And, when your HVAC system is running less, then you’re using less energy, which means lower monthly utility bills. Although savings will vary for each homeowner depending on a variety of factors, most people see a drastic difference in their heating and cooling costs-sometimes up to 25 percent. Additionally, installing a radiant barrier in your home could qualify you for certain tax credits.

A radiant barrier can be installed in conjunction with your current attic insulation, or you can find radiant barrier/insulation combinations that are installed together. These combination insulations will block all three forms of heat transfer and are an ideal solution if you are building a new home or replacing your current insulation altogether. Radiant barrier insulations have many other benefits besides just providing energy efficiency, though. Unlike some traditional insulation, high-quality radiant barrier products won’t need maintenance or need to be replaced over time. Also, they aren’t made with dangerous fibers and won’t contain asthma-causing allergens. Older insulation has been known to absorb moisture, whether it’s from water leaks or humid air. Radiant barriers repel moisture, though, so they won’t bring mildew and mold into the attic.

The effectiveness of a radiant barrier greatly depends on proper installation, however, so it’s a good idea to find a local contractor who will provide this service for you. Try doing some research on the Internet to find a contractor near you that specializes in radiant barrier products. Upgrading your insulation with a radiant barrier won’t come cheap, but with all the money you will save on heating and cooling costs in the long run, you’ll find that installing it is one of the best investments you can make in your home.

Nick Antonio is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a home improvement expert, Mr. Antonio is able to offer advice on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to attic insulation.

Nick Antonio is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a home improvement expert, Mr. Antonio is able to offer advice on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to http://www.tiptopconst.com/attic-insulation.html/ attic insulation.

Author Bio: Nick Antonio is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a home improvement expert, Mr. Antonio is able to offer advice on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to attic insulation.

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