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Performance Testing of Radiant Barriers
Abstract
TVA has conducted a study to determine the
effects of radiant barriers (RBI (i.e., material
with a low emissivity surface facing an air
space), when used with fiberglass, on attic heat
transfer during summer and winter. This study
employed five small test cells exposed to ambient
conditions and having attics with gable and soffit
vents. Three different RB configurations were
tested and compared to the non-RR configuration.
Heat flux transducers determined the heat transfer
between the attic and conditioned space.
The results showed that all RB
con figurations significantly reduced heat
gain through the ceiling during the summer.
Reductions in heat gain during daylight and peak
electric load hours were especially attractive.
Roof temperatures for the RB configurations were
only slightly higher than for the non-RB case.
Heat transfer reductions for the RB
configurations in the winter were smaller than
those for the summer but were still significant in
many, but not all, situations. Savings during
night and peak electric load hours were especially
attractive.
Citation
Hall, J. A. (1986). Performance Testing of Radiant Barriers. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6869.