The Top 5 myths of Radiant Barriers
Despite years of tested research, some skeptics are still unaware of the true benefits of radiant barrier technology as it relates to the in home heating and cooling system. Radiant Barriers have been providing homeowners with lower energy bills for close to 30 years and have their purposes in the cooling system world much like the air conditioner or ventilation.
Radiant barriers block the suns heat rays that can enter into the attic through the roof. This heat then gets into the insulation of your roof and then transfers to any material touched by insulation, usually the roof, and now you have a higher energy bill because your attic is significantly hotter. Research shows that installing a radiant barrier on the inside of your roof could possibly reduce 97% of the heat that gets radiated from your roof to your insulation.
Before you select the proper Radiant Barrier system for your home, familiarize yourself with the facts and fiction of this technology. Below are the top 5 myths that continue to circulate about these barriers:
Myth #1 – Radiant barriers cook shingles
Truth – Radiant barriers may increase the temperature of your exterior roofline on a hot summer day by 2° to 5° as it reflects the sun’s rays from entering into the attic but it will NOT cook your shingles. On any given hot day, the temperature on shingles can range from 160° to 190° so the slight increase from the barriers are insignificant and does not quicken the degradation of your shingles.
Myth #2 – Over time the product delaminates
Truth – Radiant barriers installed 30 years ago have not delaminated and are working to the fullest of their capacity. With a high end product like LoMit and the new advances in the type of adhesive used, there should be no concern about the longevity of the process.
Myth #3 – Bubble products lose air over time
Truth – Bubble products do not lose air and effectiveness over time. These are industrialized products with individual layers of bubbles sealed with polyester manufacturing air pockets incapable of losing air.
Myth #4 – Radiant barriers cause moisture problems
Truth – Many issues resulting from home maintenance actually comes from a moisture issue. If you have a moisture problem that was not properly taken care of before installation then chances are it is not going to go away after installation. Seal all holes in the ceiling, make sure vents are pointed upward away from insulation, and make sure all ductwork, HVAC appliances, and light fixtures are closed properly.
Myth #5 – Dust affects the productivity –
Truth – It’s extremely difficult for a home to accrue enough dust in an attic area to reduce the reflective worth of aluminum. In the past, one-sided aluminum did serve as an issue over time in regards to dust accrual, however, these days double-sided aluminum is installed allowing for longer reflectivity of the heat. The end result is you will always have about 97% of heat transfer rejected when you have radiant barriers installed.