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An Evaluation of the Placement of the Placement of Radiant Barriers on their Effectiveness in Reducing Heat Transfer in Attics
Abstract
Experimental tests were conducted to
measure the influence of radiant barriers
and the effect of the radiant barrier
location on attic heat transfer. All the
tests were conducted in an attic simulator
at a steady state. The heat flux through
the attic floor was measured at two
different roof deck temperatures (120°F and
140°F). The temperature distribution within
the base fibrous insulation was also
measured.
Three different solid kraft laminates
with aluminum foil backing were tested.
There was a 34 percent reduction (sample A)
in heat flux through the ceiling for the
case where the radiant barrier was placed 6
inches below the roof deck in addition to
the base fibrous insulation (R-11), with
the roof deck at 140 F. The reduction for
the same sample with the radiant barrier
placed on the studs of the attic floor was
46 percent. For all the three samples, the
heat flux through the attic floor was
reduced when the radiant barrier was placed
on the attic floor studs.
Citation
Katipamula, S.; O'Neal, D. (1986). An Evaluation of the Placement of the Placement of Radiant Barriers on their Effectiveness in Reducing Heat Transfer in Attics. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6870.