What is Reflective Insulation?
When people talk insulation… they talk R-values (Resistance to heat flow). Most mass insulation focuses on convection heat transfer (circulation), and to some extent conduction heat transfer (direct contact), while having minimal impact on reflecting radiant heat. Our reflective products in conjunction with an enclosed air space can reduce radiant heat transfer by as much as 97%.
Sources of Heat Loss in an Uninsulated Wall Cavity
In reality a large portion of heat is gained/lost by radiant means. Radiant Insulation reflects heat that is trying to enter your cool living space back out so that it never gets to you. This provides for much cooler buildings in the summer. By the same means, if you use a reflective product facing into the building, you will reflect the heat you produce in the winter back into the building.
Reflective Insulation = Warmer Winters & Cooler Summers
Better Alternative
Reflective Insulation is a uniquely designed system made from layers of insulating air bubbles encased by a reflective surface. This unique combination delivers a high performance insulating product suitable for all construction and home renovation projects.
Summer
Reflects heat away from your living spaces blocks significant heat gain in your house and cuts air conditioning costs.
Winter
Reflects escaping heat back towards your living spaces, reducing heat loss and lowering heat bills.
THERMAL BARRIER:
Inside layer made of heat-sealed insulating bubbles. Eliminates convection and conduction heat transfers (can represent 25% of all energy loss/gain in your building).
RADIANT BARRIER:
The highly reflective surface of metalized foil (made of 99% pure aluminum) and white polyethylene eliminates radiant heat transfers (can represent 75% of all energy loss/gain in your building).
VAPOR BARRIER:
Combined product material acts as vapor barrier. Protects against condensation and mildew.
The highly reflective surface provides optimal thermal performance:
- 97% radiant heat reflection
- Acts as a vapor barrier
- Maximize Thermal resistance (R value) without adding significant thickness to the insulation system.
- Helps maintain temperature and humidity distribution of the structure at time of construction
- Can be used on its own or in conjunction with mass insulation.
Reflective Insulation Applications
Radiant Foil is the choice of progressive builders. Used alone or in conjunction with more traditional types of insulation, enclosed reflective air spaces can significantly reduce energy costs, not to mention improving the comfort factor of buildings and homes. The product protects against condensation and mildew. It can also be used as an under-layment for concrete applications providing additional insulating value.
Go Green
We all need to do what we can to conserve energy. Independent studies have been performed with reflective insulation in conjunction with standard mass insulation versus a mirror image floor plan with just mass insulation.
In the home with the combination of products, we saw a heating energy savings of nearly 18%, not to mention that the rooms further removed from the thermostat were on average 5 degrees warmer than the home that had only mass insulation. This could allow you to reduce the thermostat setting, saving more energy.
As to the summer tests, they were astounding. Using the same homes and the same conditions, the energy used for cooling was over 36% less in the home with that included radiant barrier insulation.
The tools needed to retrofit your building with the product are simply a pair of scissors and a staple gun. With potential savings like the above why wouldn’t you do it?