Does a Radiant Barrier Reduce Energy Bills? (Yes!)

The right energy saving measures taken in your home can easily reduce your current utility bills by as much as 50%. Of all measures available, radiant barrier insulation stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Most of us have been educated on the need and purpose of insulation inside of our homes. Insulation forms a barrier that keeps heat away from the occupied or cooled sections of your home. This barrier can be in your floor and/or your walls, but in addition to these, the most effective place for insulation is above your head in your attic.

Radiant barriers are materials used for the purpose of home insulation. They are effective at stopping the transfer of radiant energy from the outside of the home to the inside during the summer months. The barriers are typically installed in the attics of homes in order to reduce heat gain during the summer months, with the result being lower energy bills.

3 Ways for Heat to Transfer

From a physics perspective, heat transfer takes three forms: conduction, radiation and convection.

Most types of insulation used in homes and office buildings – such as fiberglass blankets – are effective vis-a-vis conduction and convection types of heat transfer. However, they are ineffective at preventing radiant heat transfer.

This is where radiant barriers come in. They are a type of aluminum product which can be used in conjunction with other types of insulation materials to protect the home against high energy bills.

These barriers are installed in both commercial and residential buildings.

Types of Radiant Barrier Application

One way to apply this technology in residential situations is to spray a coat of radiant barrier # 85 inside the attic along the roof. This solution is made of insulating ceramic microspheres and pure metal (aluminum) pigment – and yet with no flammable or volatile solvents. This method can reduce radiant heat by up to 70%.

Another option is to install a barrier of aluminum foil in a way that covers the existing, traditional insulation such as fiberglass blankets, foam, or concrete blocks. The foil type of insulation is even more effective than is the spray type, reducing radiant energy by up to 97%.

Radiant barrier and energy savings go hand-in-hand. When installed properly, they can greatly contribute to reduced energy costs by saving in cooling/air conditioning costs during the summer months in a way that traditional insulation materials cannot accomplish on their own.