Reflective Insulation and Radiant Barriers
Radiant barriers are installed in the attic to reflect radiant heat that comes in through the roof so it has less of an opportunity to heat the attic. The greatest potential for energy savings occurs when a home has an air handler or duct system that is located in an unconditioned attic. Also, savings increase when the home is located in the hottest climates. Florida or parts of Arizona, for example, have a much greater potential for savings, with savings decreasing for areas with milder summer climates. Savings are also much lower if the air conditioning system and ducts are not located in the attic, but a radiant barrier may help with comfort levels and to reduce peak load for your air conditioner. For more information on radiant barriers please visit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory for DOE.
To check if there are any incentives or rebates available for this product in your area, please visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).
Minimum Requirements
- Radiant Barrier product must have Emissivity ≤ 0.1 and Reflectivity ≥ 0.9.
- Radiant barrier must be installed per manufacturer’s specifications.