As energy continues to become the focal point of governmental concern in the U.S., the U.S. Department of Energy continues to take strides in building and improving programs that encourage energy stewardship. One such program is the Builders Challenge, which recognizes energy leadership in homebuilding. Here is a case study of a Habitat for Humanity energy-efficient home development in Lakeland, Florida. The goal of the homes was not only to provide affordible housing from a first cost perspective, but to also build homes that were also affordible to live in.
Radiant barrier was one of the main energy-saving features incorporated into these Lakeland homes.
“The radiant barrier is like thick, flexible aluminum foil. It is very cheap, we just buy it in big rolls. You staple it to the inside of the roof between the rafters. It brings down the heat in the attic space by up to 40 degrees.
If the home’s duct work is located in the attic, the barrier provides the added benefit of reducing heat gains to the ducts so the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard in the summer,” said Twomey.
In addition to sheet radiant barrier foil, these energy efficient homes featured the following energy saving features:
Read the Full Case Study on the Development
During a roundtable discussion at a recent event at the Center for Architecture, the discussion on the table was designing a net zero home, or better home that uses no more power than it generates itself. Architects William Zoeller, of Steven Winter Associates, James Garrison, founder of James Garrison Architects, and Matthew Bialecki, founder of Bialecki Architects, discussed their methods/ideas for creating a net zero home.
Among the ideas mentioned, radiant barrier was at the top of the list because of how efficiently a radiant barrier is at nearly eliminating heat transfer, which is a huge benefit to a net zero home, making it easier to maintain a conditioned living space temperature without using much energy.
Where’s the best place to install radiant barrier? What kind of performance can be expected? How does it work in different climates? How does it compare to the paints? These are just a few of the questions addressed, spanning decades of research from numerous independent sources.
Read the complete review of this radiant barrier research.
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