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American Attic, Oakland, California

Attic Radiant Barrier: Is it Worth the Money?

Attic Radiant Barrier
Attic Radiant Barrier: Is It Worth the Money?

Many homeowners question if the cost of installing radiant barriers is really worth it.  Radiant barriers are usually installed in attics, to minimize the amount of heat that enters your home. 

Radiant barriers will undoubtedly help you in lowering your cooling cost during the summer months.

So, is it worth it?

According to the Department of Energy, installing radiant barriers saves cooling expenses by 5% to 10% in warm weather climates.

These energy savings can be larger in warmer areas.

The fact that these energy-saving benefits do not apply to the entire United States adds to the debate about whether radiant barriers are worth it. 

Consider the following questions if you’re thinking of installing radiant barriers:

  • Is my house exposed to direct sunlight for the most of the day?
  • Do I live in an area where the temperature regularly exceeds 100°F?
  • Is there HVAC equipment or ductwork placed in my attic?

There’s a high possibility that a radiant barrier will greatly help your house if you answered yes to most questions.

RADIANT BARRIERS HELP YOU SAVE ON COOLING COSTS

Radiant heat moves up your attic as it passes through the surface of your roof deck, increasing your cooling expenses.  Radiant barriers work by preventing heat from entering.

Your radiant barrier works best as the temperature rises. This means you’ll save the most money on air conditioning during the hottest months of the year.

Also,  if there are no trees to shade your roof deck or if your home is exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day you might consider installing a radiant barrier.

RADIANT BARRIERS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY HUMIDITY

The radiant barrier is unaffected by hot air or moisture because it reflects heat away from the surface. Perforations in certain radiant barriers enable air to circulate through and avoid moisture buildup.

RADIANT BARRIERS ARE SAFE

Radiant barriers do not release hazardous particles that can enter the lungs (like fiberglass). Using traditional insulation can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. When in doubt about the effects of insulation, use protective clothes, gloves, eye protection, and breathing protection. You can also contact a professional to help you with attic radiant barriers.

RADIANT BARRIERS INCREASES THE R-VALUE OF A ROOM

Radiant barriers increase the R-value of a room, increasing its thermal efficiency. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

Up to 97% of radiant heat can be reflected by the reflective insulation. The materials in the core of a double-sided radiant barrier generally enhance R-value and provide heat resistance similar to standard insulation.

RADIANT BARRIERS INCREASE THE R-VALUE OF EXISTING INSULATION

Radiant Barriers can be put over existing insulation in your attic and crawl area to compliment your current or existing insulation. Furthermore, depending on the type of radiant barrier used, it will increase the R-value of existing insulation.

RADIANT BARRIER INSTALLATION BY AMERICAN ATTIC

Overall, we can say that barrier insulation is 100% worth your money. An effective and affordable solution to keep your attics cool and lets you save money at the same time.

Contact American Attic for your radiant barrier insulation installation, and experience the benefits first hand.

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