As all of us Austin residents know first-hand just how intense Texas summers can be. The heat we try to escape from eventually follows us inside of our homes, and we struggle to keep comfortable without breaking the bank. Even the most efficient AC system can sometimes use some help to regulate your air and make your home more energy efficient.
Champion AC & Plumbing is dedicated to helping our customers make their homes relaxing places to escape from the heat. Our experienced team commonly uses radiant barriers as an extra solution to combat high temperatures and high sunlight exposure. Read on for more information on how radiant barriers work and whether they are a good fit for your home.
What Is A Radiant Barrier Made Of?
A radiant barrier is a reflective material usually installed in your attic. This reflective material – typically aluminum – is wrapped around a stronger, reinforced sheet that is laid out flat to reflect light and heat away from the home.
How Do Radiant Barriers Work?
When sun shines on the roof of your home, heat is absorbed into the material and conducted into the attic space. All of that absorbed heat warms your attic space – including the air ducts and the floor of the attic. With so much warm air right above the cooler space of your home, some of that cool temperature can be leached away as the heat grows.
A radiant barrier is installed under the roof facing open air. When the warm air is conducted into the attic, the reflective barrier stops some of the heat and pushes it back out of the attic space. Barring that heat from collecting in the attic can do wonders for the air regulation in your home.
Can You Install You Own Radiant Barrier?
While installing radiant barriers isn’t particularly difficult, if you want maximum performance it’s best to involve a professional HVAC technician. There are several complications that can arise from improper installation that can significantly reduce the efficiency of the reflective process.
Dust
If your material is allowed to collect dust or debris, it will be incapable of reflecting the heat. This will render your radiant barrier useless and result in the same collected heat in your attic and home.
Improper Placement
The main purpose of the radiant barrier is to reflect as much heat as possible. This requires the material to be laid out facing open air. If placed too close to the ceiling or installed with crooks and bends, the material won’t be working for you as it should.
Need Radiant Barrier Installation?
Are you ready to try a more efficient solution to combating the summer heat waves? Champion AC & Plumbing can help you this summer and make sure your home is running on maximum efficiency. Count on our team of friendly professionals to get the job done right. Give us a call!
