Keeping your home cool during warm summer months can feel like a full-time job. Adding a radiant barrier to your attic can help reduce summer heat gain and decrease cooling costs. A radiant barrier is an insulation product consisting of material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.
Radiant energy from the sun is the primary force in causing the roof to heat. Much of this radiant heat is conducted into the attic through the shingles, roof deck and other roofing materials. Heat is trapped inside the attic and raises the temperature of the ducts and attic floor. Although insulation helps manage the temperature inside your home, a radiant barrier reflects heat out of the attic and helps keep the attic cooler than insulation alone.
A radiant barrier is very effective in hot, sunny climates. Some data indicates that adding a radiant barrier to your home can reduce cooling costs up to 10 percent. If you’re adding a cooling system to a new home or upgrading your home’s existing cooling system, a radiant barrier may allow you to install a smaller cooling system.
Learn more about radiant barrier systems by contacting our office at (704) 821-4343! We are happy to discuss your project and the benefits of adding a radiant barrier.