Aluminized Reflectors
ALUMINIZED REFLECTORS
Answer the question … what is the best way to simultaneously:
1) reflect 97% of solar energy back into space and reduce my air conditioning costs?
2) reflect 97% of radiant losses back into my home and reduce my heating costs?
Experiencing the Effects of Aluminum Reflectors
Reflection Technology Applied in the Home
Imagine reducing summer air-conditioning costs 35% and winter heating costs 20% simply by covering a home’s attic insulation with thin, light-weight, inexpensive aluminum-plated leaflets. Reflective aluminum simultaneously places a home in deep shade and covers it with a “space blanket”. With reflectors in place, most people are comfortable with thermostats set 3° F higher in summer and 3° F lower during winter.
Infrared energy radiating from sun travels 93 million miles through the vacuum of space before it reaches the earth. Here, it strikes a surface and either 1) becomes heat or 2) is reflected back into space. Unfortunately, most building materials are very poor reflectors. They absorb about 90% of infrared energy, becoming hot in the process, and reflect a mere 10%. By contrast, aluminum absorbs 3% and reflects 97%. In short, aluminum remains cool in the sun and every material shaded by it remains cool.
Once infrared (radiant) energy is converted to heat energy (molecular movement) it travels through matter by conduction. Conventional insulation (dead air spaces encapsulated in poor conductors), no matter their R-values, merely slow the rate of heat flow. Aluminum infrared reflectors reverse the direction of IR radiation. Reflected IR energy is not converted to heat, so the home’s insulation heat-burden is reduced by 97%.
Aluminized Rolls
… available on the internet
www.radiantguard.com
Department of Energy – Installation Procedures
Reinforced aluminized polypropylene roll goods are available on the web.
Rolls of “Radiant Barrier” are commonly 4 feet x 125 feet and cost about $100.
Aluminized Leaflets
… Pro Bono Science’s improvement on aluminized rolls
In contrast to roll goods, aluminized polyester leaflets don’t require cutting, positioning and stapling in place – a two man job. Leaflets can quickly and easily be broadcast over conventional attic insulation by one person.
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10-pound box = $100 Contact beth@ekunz.com for more information or to place an order. |
Spreading Reflective Leaflets over Attic Floor
Further Reading
William Herschel Discovers Infrared Light
Infrared Reflectors at NASA
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
How Infrared Light Interacts with Aluminum
Heating & Cooling Savings after Installing Aluminum Film
Heat Gain Transmission and Loss in Homes
Aluminum Keeps Attic Insulation Cool in Summer, Warm in Winter
IR Pictures of Attic Insulation Temps With & Without IR Reflectors