Texas’ Coastal Bend is gearing up for a hot, humid summer, and your air condition will play a crucial role in keeping you comfortable. Give your A/C a hand this season by installing radiant barriers, a reflective material that can help reduce your home’s heat gain and lower the cost to keep you cool.
Radiant Heat
There are three types of heat: convection, conduction and radiant. Radiant heat is unique because it travels in a straight line. When this type of heat comes from the sun, it travels to a warm, solid surface that absorbs it. When the radiant heat hits your roof, the heat seeks the cool surfaces in your home’s ducts and attic. By installing a radiant barrier in the attic, you’ll help your home reduce the amount of heat that transfers between your roof and the attic.
Radiant Barrier Performance
A radiant barrier relies on three factors to perform well: emissivity, reflectivity and the angle of installation. Emissivity is the ratio of heat that the surface of a radiant barrier produces and transfers to a comparably sized area. The best radiant barriers have lower levels of emissivity. The reflectivity of a radiant barrier describes the amount of heat the barrier re-emits. The higher the reflectivity the better the barrier works. When installing radiant barriers, the best angle for the sun’s rays to hit them is at a right angle.
Radiant Barrier Types
You can find radiant barriers in the form of shingles, foil and chips, but one of the most popular barriers comes in the form of reflective aluminum roof sheathing or foam board that you install in the attic. Also available is a convenient spray-on barrier that is popular among homeowners who seek a quick solution. A radiant barrier is not a substitute for insulation in your roof or attic; it’s a good addition that will help you stay cool and save on your power bill.
For more expert advice about radiant barriers and other issues related to home comfort and energy savings in the Corpus Christi area, please contact Mathews CCAC Inc. today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about radiant barriers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Mathews CCAC Air Conditioning and Heating services Corpus Christi, TX. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
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