RADIANT BARRIER
Your home reacts to the sun in one of two ways. It either absorbs the radiant energy from the sun or it reflects it. Radiant barriers and low-e reflective coatings increase your home’s ability to reflect the sun’s energy, which in turn keeps your home cooler in the summer. It is most effective in reducing heat absorbed into locations like your attic.
In order for a radiant barrier to be considered effective, the foil material must allow less than 10% of the radiant heat to pass through it. With low-e reflective coatings, effectiveness is achieved when less than 25% radiant heat passes through it. You can get additional information at the DOE on the effects of radiant barriers on heating and cooling.
We use FiFoil® Silver Shield in many homes because it:
- Cuts annual A/C costs up to 12% (often it’s higher)
- Reduces attic temperatures up to 30° F
- Increases insulation and A/C duct efficiency
- Lowers temperatures in areas that are not typically air conditioned
- Qualifies for energy-efficient mortgage credits thanks to its Energy Star rating
