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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Cooling energy measurements of houses with attics containing radiant barriers

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7196433
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 was a product with two reflective aluminum surfaces on a kraft paper base. The radiant barrier has the potential to reduce the radiant heat transfer component impinging on the fiberglass attic insulation. Working as a system in conjunction with an air space, the radiant barrier could theoretically block up to 95% of far-infrared radiation heat transfer. The results showed a savings in the cooling 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 was 17% and 9%, respectively.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
7196433
Report Number(s):
CONF-861181-2; ON: DE87001677
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English