Title: Cooling-energy measurements of unoccupied single-family houses with attics containing radiant barriers

Abstract

Tests were conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to determine the magnitude of the energy savings brought about by installing radiant barriers in the attics of single-family houses. The radiant barrier used for this test is a product with two reflective aluminum surfaces on a kraft paper base. The purpose of the radiant barrier is to reduce the radiant heat transfer component impinging on the fiberglass attic insulation. The radiant barrier works as a system in conjunction with an air space and can theoretically block up to 95% of far-infrared radiation heat transfer. The experiment was conducted in three unoccupied research houses that are operated by ORNL. Two variations on the installation of radiant barriers were studied. One house was used as the control house (no barrier was installed), while the other two were used to test the two different methods for installing the radiant barriers. In one house the barrier was laid on top of the attic fiberglass batt insulation, and in the other house, the barrier was attached to the underside of the roof trusses. The attics of all three houses were insulated with kraft-paper-faced R-19 fiberglass batt insulation. The results showed a savings in the coolingmore » loads of 21% when the radiant barrier was laid on top of the attic fiberglass insulation and 13% with the radiant barrier attached to the underside of the roof trusses. The savings in electrical consumption were 17% and 9%, respectively. The electrical consumption data and the cooling load data indicate that the most effective way of installing the foil is to lay it on top of the fiberglass insulation. The radiant barriers reduced the measured peak ceiling heat fluxes by 39% for the case where the barrier was laid on top of the fiberglass insulation. The radiant barrier reduced the integrated heat flows from the attic to the house by approximately 30 to 35% over a 7-day time period.« less

Authors:

Levins, W P; Karnitz, M A

Publication Date:

1986-07-01

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)

OSTI Identifier:

5462630

Report Number(s):

ORNL/CON-200
ON: DE86014343

DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-84OR21400

Resource Type:

Technical Report

Resource Relation:

Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ATTICS; RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER; COOLING LOAD; HEAT FLUX; HOUSES; THERMAL INSULATION; BUILDINGS; ENERGY TRANSFER; HEAT TRANSFER; RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS; 320101* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987)