How a Radiant Barrier Can Lower Your Energy Costs

Did you know that, even with insulation, up to 93% of your attic's heat can seep into your living areas below? As much as 75% of all heat loss in the winter is due to radiant heat. You may have never even heard of radiant heat, but it's similar to what you feel when you're standing in direct sunlight. Or, better yet, climb up in your attic on a hot summer day and feel the instant heat. That's radiant heat.

A radiant barrier "reflects radiant heat back to its source." Simply put, it helps your AC unit run more efficiently - as much as 20% - at peak heat times of the day thereby lowering your attic temperature. The attic is definitely a part of your home, and your AC unit will attempt to cool each part. By adding a radiant barrier in your attic is how you save money. I know you like that idea! And lower energy usage also affects your home's carbon footprint. And a radiant barrier will also help your heating unit to save you money by reducing winter heat loss.

Radiant heat from the sun will seep through your roof and spread through your attic area. Then, the heat has to have somewhere to go so it goes downward, seeking places to live and causing your family undue discomfort. And vice versa in the winter as the heat seeps up through into the attic and much is lost through the tiny cracks and crevices.

The radiant barrier acts as stopping place, a blockage, so to speak that eliminates the transfer of this heat loss and gain at various times of the year. But just how can this affect your energy costs? It helps tremendously to lower your utility costs and give you peace of mind. I'm sure you can also see how a radiant barrier will help your HVAC unit not to have to work so hard thus extending its life and usefulness.

For a true classification of a radiant barrier, it must be able to reflect at least 90% or more of the radiant heat. A classification of ASTM C1313 is your best choice. Ask your HVAC service technician if the barrier you want to install has this classification. Another good thing to know is that the barrier itself produces very little heat. This is important since you don't want the barrier to be putting out so much heat it has to work to eliminate that heat as well as any other radiant heat thus making the unit to work harder unnecessarily.

You want something that will pay for itself over time and bring peace of mind and comfort to you and your family. A radiant barrier for your attic or roof can do the job. Be sure to check out this money-saving product today.