Do you ever feel like your house is literally one giant oven in the summer, even with the AC blowing full speed? You’re not alone! There are days when it feels like an invisible force is just cooking your home from the outside in. Surprise! You’re not completely crazy!
There is indeed a type of radiant heat. Picture it as the heat you sense when the sun is shining on your body, or in front of a heated stove. It moves through the air and warms up what comes into contact with it. Your attic and roof? They absorb a lot of this radiant heat from the sun. And then they, in their generosity, pass it right on through into your living area. Not cool, right?
So, What’s With All This Shiny Sheet Stuff?
This is where something known as a radiant barrier comes into play. Think of an extremely thin, extremely reflective blanket (sort of like aluminum foil, but much more robust and designed to be put in attics). This is not puffy insulation that works to slow heat passing through walls. No, a radiant barrier does something different. It reflects that invisible radiant heat like a mirror reflects light.
Less Heat In = Cooler House
The less radiant heat that comes into your attic, the cooler your attic will be. And the cooler your attic is, the less heat makes it down into your house. That’s right: your air conditioner doesn’t have to work nearly as hard to get your space comfortable.
And if your AC isn’t humming right along like it’s on marathon speed? You bet – you might be experiencing some awesome cooling bill savings! It’s not hocus pocus, but intelligent science. For folks who live in warmer areas of the USA, it can be a real lifesaver, particularly during those seemingly endless, hot summers.
Is It a Good Idea for My Home?
A radiant barrier is optimal for hot climates with long sunlight hours and overburdening cooling bills. If you’re sick of that “oven-house” feel and wonder if a radiant barrier might make your home cool out (and get you some money back), it might be worth considering.
Here at Pro Insulations, we’ve witnessed firsthand how effectively these shiny sheets perform. We’re all about intelligent solutions that warm your home, not your bank account. It’s not about throwing on extra layers of insulation; it’s about adding the right type of insulation for your home and where you live.
Pondering a radiant barrier as the new best friend for your home? Call us at Pro Insulations. We’ll chat about your home, determine if it’s right for you, and get you to see how you can begin reflecting away that summer heat. No hard sell, just friendly advice to get your home the cool retreat that it can be!