Sunday, August 22, 2010

Save Your Money With Energy Efficient Home Improvements

By Martini Hogiri

Radiant Barrier is also known as reflective barriers. They inhibit transfer of heat by thermal radiation. Heat can also be transferred through convection and conduction. But the Radiant Barrier do not protect against such methods of heat transfer.

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.

Radiant Barrier should have a low emissivity (0.1 or less) at wavelengths that they are supposed to function. The range of wavelength in the middle and long infrared spectrum for the buildings is between 3-15 micrometers. As far as Radiant Barrier is concerned, their reflectivity is not fixed. This is for the reason that reflectivity and emissivity do not add up as one for different wavelengths. The property of low emissivity is used to create surfaces that have a dark appearance. If radiation is not desired, the direction of the radiant surfaces should be towards open surfaces like air or vacuum.

Uses 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.

To stop heat loss indoors, Radiant Barrier can be used effectively.

There are two methods to install Radiant Barrier insulation given as follows:

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.

The conventional attic insulation and radiant barrier differ from each other. Their functions are similar but their methods of achieving the same differ. A radiant barrier decreases the amount of heat radiated in areas near to it. The conventional attic insulation technique reduces thermal radiation by means of convection. Air is trapped within insulation in this technique. The rating of such a technique is done by R-value. There are no R-values for Radiant Barrier since they depend upon many factors.

There are wide ranges of Radiant Barrier but the cost basically depends on the person installing a radiant barrier. There are some other features also which people like to add on and the life of the house also matters as there is a difference in installation prices for old and new houses.

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.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment