Save Your Money With Energy Efficient Home Improvements
Those reflective barriers that are good conductors for transferring heat through thermal radiation are called Radiant Barrier. There are other methods also for transferring heat such as heat conduction or convection but in these methods the Radiant Barrier cannot be used for protection.
Through thermal radiation, energy is emitted by every material and the extent of which depends on surface temperature and the relative ability of the material to emit radiation which in turn is directly proportional to heat radiated at particular wavelengths. At these given wavelengths, the amount of energy that a material reflects measures the Reflectivity of that material.
For those wavelengths at which the Radiant Barrier function, there emissivity is to be maintained low as much as 0.1 or below it. The range of wavelength for buildings lies in the middle of the long infrared spectrum that is between 3-15 micrometers where the range for reflectivity of Radiant Barrier is not fixed because the total of reflectivity and emissivity does not have to be one and therefore, there is no fixed range. It can be said that low thermal emissivity creates dark surfaces and for proper functioning, the Radiant Barrier should be facing open surfaces which are vacuum or air to prevent radiation. The method of applying a radiant barrier:
Application of radiant barrier-
A material was developed by NASA that was reflective, light and made of plastic substrate and was aluminum coated by vapor deposition method which is commonly known as space blanket. The main use of space blanket is to protect astronauts, spacecrafts and equipments from radiation and to retain heat as in space temperature fluctuations are common. As heat transfer in space is possible only through radiation therefore, Radiant Barrier are more effective and useful in space rather than on earth where the heat transfer is also possible through convection and conduction even after deploying Radiant Barrier.
There is another use of Radiant Barrier that is to reduce loss of indoor heat.
Installation of Radiant Barrier insulation is usually done by two methods-
1. Radiant Barrier Decking
2. Radiant Barrier Attic Foil.
On sunny days, the roof absorbs the solar energy. The roof sheathing gets heated up and radiates the heat downward to the attic floor. A radiant barrier when placed on the attic floor reflects the heat received towards the roof. This makes the top surface cooler. It also effectively removes the heat from entering into the rooms. Thus, a radiant barrier is quite an effective device.
There is a difference between the Radiant Barrier and the conventional method of attic insulation. Though their use is similar but their functioning differs as the Radiant Barrier decrease the heat radiated around them whereas the conventional method of attic insulation reduces thermal radiation through convection. In this process the air gets trapped inside only. This technique is rated by R-value. Radiant Barrier do not carry R-value as they are dependent on many factors.
Radiant Barrier comes in different ranges. The cost primarily depends upon the one who is installing it. Other factors include the extra features which some people like to incorporate in it. The price is different for a new house and an existing one.
Needless to say, Radiant Barrier is highly effective and desirous. They are of vital importance and preferred these days. Have a look on radiant barrier reviews before you decide to install it.
Improve your home with radiant barrier. Read radiant barrier reviews before you decide to install.
