| Poorly insulated attics are like throwing money in the | | | | for you and your cooling system to keep your home |
| trash: your energy bills are higher due to the extra | | | | comfortable without breaking the bank. |
| work your home's HVAC unit has to perform in order | | | | Radiant barrier insulation qualifies as an |
| to regulate the temperature inside your home. In the | | | | energy-efficient product which means that it meets |
| summer, with heat beating down on your home, it's | | | | or exceeds stringent regulations and guidelines set by |
| received through the roof, passed down into the | | | | the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the |
| attic, and then onto the home. In the winter, as you | | | | U.S. Dept of Energy. With lower energy bills and a |
| are warming your home's air, the hot air continually | | | | more efficient home, the value increases while you |
| rises up, up, and out from the attic. What can you do | | | | save on monthly heating and cooling costs. As a |
| to stop this leakage and lower your energy costs? | | | | homeowner, you probably already know that there |
| Consider using the latest in radiant barrier insulating | | | | are special tax breaks and credits for making |
| systems for your home. | | | | energy-efficient upgrades to your home, and radiant |
| What is a radiant barrier insulating system? To | | | | barrier insulation qualifies for these special incentives |
| answer this first we'll need to discover what "radiant" | | | | at up to a 30% write-off. Be sure to consult your |
| means. Here we are referring to radiant heat, or the | | | | tax preparer or CPA for more details. |
| passing of warm air through to cooler air. Consider | | | | Radiant barrier insulating systems, like all products, |
| your home in the heat of the summer months: the | | | | work best when professionally installed. Be sure to |
| sun beating down rays of warmth onto your roof is | | | | double check the manufacturer's website for |
| the exact definition of radiant heat. As that heat is | | | | important tips for installing this type of insulation in |
| absorbed into your attic, the laws of radiant heat | | | | your area - variant temperatures and humidity levels |
| mean that it will naturally be passed through to cooler | | | | might mean special installation instructions so you'll |
| air masses in your home. Without proper barriers in | | | | want to have your bases covered before installing |
| place, your home will continue to absorb this heat | | | | your insulation. Your home improvement contractor |
| naturally, just as the earth and ocean absorbs these | | | | should know exactly how to install this type of |
| heat waves. | | | | insulation for you, and be able to tell you more details |
| Radiant barrier insulation works differently than typical | | | | regarding its efficiency. |
| fiberglass or cellulose insulation because its reflective | | | | Imagine an insulation system that actually works to |
| material is made to automatically reflect heat away | | | | reflect heat from your home, eases the burden |
| from your home. Made from aluminum, this type of | | | | placed on your HVAC unit and saves you money on |
| insulating material will reflect 97% of the radiant heat | | | | monthly energy bills. Now that's what we call an |
| hurtling toward it. That makes for a much easier time | | | | efficient product! |