| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Radiant Barrier |
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| Q: What is a radiant barrier? |
| A radiant barrier is an energy saving material
installed in the attics of homes and buildings that is
excellent at reflecting heat and poor at absorbing heat. |
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| Q: Why do you use a spray-on radiant barrier? |
| A spray-on radiant barrier is an innovative application of a high-tech material that reflects radiant heat. It has great advantages over previous types of radiant barriers (like foil) including better coverage and a longer effective life-span. It is sprayed over all nail punctures in a uniform manner, so there are no holes or gaps, it is not a vapor barrier so it will not contribute to mold, and it does not block antenna and mobile phone reception. |
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| Q: How does it work? |
| Radiant heat is generated by many of the things around us. In summer, the sun is the primary source of radiant energy. It heats the exterior of your home, and this heat eventually is conducted into the interior. In this case, the spray on barrier helps keep your home cool by reflecting back the suns radiant energy and preventing heat build-up in your attic. |
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| Q: Won´t my homes insulation do the same thing? |
| No. While insulation is extremely important, it will not stop radiant heat transfer. |
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| Q: What kind of testing has been performed to verify this products effectiveness? |
| Independent research labs in the U.S. and Europe have tested spray-on radiant barriers and have confirmed their low emissivity values (the amount of radiant heat that can pass through it). Many utility companies around the United States have validated these findings by offering significant rebates for customers that install radiant barriers - check with your energy provider to see if you qualify. |
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| Q: Does this spray have an odor? |
| Like all paints, there is a minimal odor that dissipates within hours after application. Most homeowners will never notice any odor. |
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| Q: How long does this product last? |
| Our radiant barrier has the durability of a premium latex paint. It should give up to 25 years of service and energy savings. |
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| Q: Does the energy-saving effect wear off over time? |
| Over time the accumulation of dust and grime on your radiant barrier will diminish its effectiveness. However, since it is installed on the underside of your roof deck, it is safe to assume that minimal dust & grime will accumulate. |
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| Q: How many coats of are required? |
| Just one even coat is sufficient. |
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| Q: Will more than one coat increase savings? |
| No, only one coat is needed. Additional coats will not increase savings. |
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| Q: If I have a coat of radiant barrier on the underside of my roof, do I still need insulation and ventilation? |
| Yes. Radiant Barriers work in combination with effective insulation and proper attic ventilation to maximize your homes energy efficiency. |
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| Insulation |
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| Q: What is the benefit of insulation? |
| Heating and cooling systems consume 50% to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. You will save on your energy costs if you reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling. Insulation helps your home retain heat in cold weather and reject heat in warm seasons. |
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| Q: Doesn't my house already have insulation? |
| It probably does not have enough. In much of the housing in America, attic insulation levels are inadequate at best. That's because many homebuilders only offer standard (not optimal) levels of attic insulation, in order to maintain competitive selling prices. Obviously, the older the home, the less likely it is to have adequate attic insulation. But even in a newer home, additional attic insulation will save enough money in reduced utility bills to pay for itself, and those savings will, of course, continue year after year. Upgraded attic insulation will also increase the value of your house. |
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| Q: How does insulation work? |
| Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In cold weather, it flows from heated rooms to the unheated attic, garage or basement, or to the outdoors. In hot weather, heat flows from outside your home to its interior. To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system, and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner. Insulation resists the flow of heat, preventing unwanted circulation. Thus, in a well-insulated house, rooms stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer, with less energy expenditure. |
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| Q: What is R-value? |
| The R-value rating refers to the insulations thermal resistance - its ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material, its thickness, and density. Installing more insulation in your home increases the total R-value and the resistance to heat flow. |
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| Attic Ventilation |
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| Q: Wouldn't the most energy-efficient home be one that is the most airtight? |
| Controlled ventilation and air leakage are two different matters. Sealing unwanted air leaks is vital to a homes energy efficiency. However, controlled ventilation in your attic is also very necessary. |
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| Q: How does attic ventilation improve energy efficiency? |
| Ventilation promotes a cooler attic in the summer and a drier attic in the winter. By exhausting heated air from the attic, a good ventilation system will help keep the rest of the house cooler with less energy usage. In cold months, ventilation prevents moisture build-up in the attic. As warm, moist air rises into a cold attic, it can condense under the roof deck, causing the decking and shingles to distort and deteriorate. Excessive heat and excessive moisture can both lead to serious roof damage. |
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| Q: Where does that moisture come from? |
| It comes from normal household activities, such as showers, laundering and cooking activities that can release as much as three to five gallons of water vapor a day. If this water vapor becomes trapped in the attic, it can cause roof decking and shingles to warp and distort. Lack of appropriate ventilation can void your home warranty. |
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| Q: What kind of ventilation system do you recommend? |
| The Energy Efficient AtticŪ solution employs a ridge vent at the peak of the roof plus vented soffits under the eaves. However, depending upon the structure of your roof, other systems may be recommended - we also install wind turbines, air hawks, and a variety of powered and solar-powered vents. |
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| Q: How does a ridge vent system work? |
| As wind blows around the house, it creates areas of high and low air pressure high pressure under the eaves and low pressure over the peak of the roof. Because air flows from high to low pressure; air in the attic will be pulled out through the ridge vent, to be replaced by air flowing in through the soffit vents. The system also takes advantage of thermal effect to ventilate even on calm days. We all know that hot air rises. The peak vent allows this hot air to continue to go up and out of the house, with cooler air being drawn in through the soffits. |
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