For homes in southern climates, radiant barriers and interior radiation control coatings (IRCCs), such as the IRCC Heat Barrier, are effective. They definetly provide a low cost way to improve energy efficiency in homes and conditioned buildings. Any structure that relies on air conditioning for much of the year can benefit from this technology. It offers a way to reduce utility usage in new construction or retrofitting existing buildings.
Radiant Barrier
They work by affecting heat flows into the building. Radiant barrier and IRCC efficiencies, including those of the IRCC Heat Barrier, are driven by a characteristic called emissivity, or thermal emittance. Emissivity describes the ability of a surface to radiate or “emit” heat. Everything has a prescribed emissivity based on its chemical makeup, from human skin to leaves to rocks to roofing materials. The higher the emissivity, the better able that surface is to release its stored heat energy by radiation. The lower the emissivity, the less able it is to release its stored heat energy by radiation.
Most building materials have high emissivities, i.e.: roofing shingles, plywood, OSB, etc. They tend to radiate the heat they generate during hot summer days into cooler areas of the building easily. Installing radiant barriers and IRCCs places a low “e” surface just below the roof. Alternatively, they can be installed to the underside of the roof to retard heat influx. This redirects the heat back through the roof and out of the structure. The result is drastically cooler attic spaces (5-20 degrees F or more), which increase the operating efficiency of the standard r-value insulation in the structure. The IRCC Heat Barrier helps achieve these results, leading to reasonable savings on air conditioning bills (5-15% or more).
Multiple Factors Include Heat Flow
Every structure is different, and many factors impact total heat flow. These factors will definitely cause every building to experience different results. However, with a material cost of just pennies per square foot, and an installed cost of $0.50-$1.00 per square foot for IRCCs and $1.00-$2.00 per square foot for radiant barriers, the ROI can be much more rapid than other insulation technologies.
IRCC Radiant Barrier
Most radiant barriers have slightly lower emissivities than IRCCs. But IRCCs like SOLEC’s LO/MIT–II MAX (e=0.147) provide a balance of efficiency and low material cost. They also offer low installation cost and long-term performance. LO/MIT is electrically non-conductive and moisture permeable. It does not require any maintenance for the life of the roof. An average home can be treated in about half a day. Plus, the savings will only increase as utility rates continue to climb. IRCC Heat Barrier installations continue to demonstrate their value in energy savings.
So, not only are radiant barriers and IRCCs helping construction go green, they can help save some green as well. These innovative technologies work by reflecting heat away from living spaces, effectively reducing the energy needed for cooling systems during hot weather. In addition to improving energy efficiency, they contribute to a more sustainable building process that reduces the overall carbon footprint of construction projects. By harnessing these materials, homeowners and builders can enjoy lower energy bills while also supporting environmental initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Furthermore, as more people become aware of the importance of sustainability, the demand for eco-friendly building techniques like radiant barriers and IRCCs continues to grow, encouraging the industry to adopt greener practices overall.
By: Robert J. Aresty, SOLEC-Solar Energy Corporation
