Reflective Insulation - From NASA to Rescue Missions Bypassing the Homes

It is becoming common sense that using reflective insulation is generally an effective way to reduce the heat gain of your house in the summer. Yet, homes are built without reflective insulation simply because there are no mandatory requirements in a building code to use it. Is reflective insulation just another fashionable topic we all talk about, but never bother to implement, same as healthy eating and greenhouse gas reduction? Perhaps, although reflective insulation is not so much a question or a concept, it is an answer. Answer to the overheating of houses during the summer, to your overspending on air conditioners and fans, and to the Legionnaires' disease.

Installing reflective under-roof insulation in your house (shiny surface facing up) will significantly reduce the heat gain of your roof. If you choose to fight the BTUs coming from under your roof using air conditioning, for example, you will need to spend money not only on the air conditioning unit itself, but you will also pay extra for your monthly electric bill. It is very unfortunate that such a simple measure as using reflective insulation is not yet wildly implemented. In the days when everybody from kids to worldwide corporations claim that they are concerned with being green and saving the planet, such a simple measure to reduce heat gain is overlooked.

It is a paradox, really, how much it takes to get the system to accept simple inventions. Fiberglass insulation, for example, was first invented, according to some sources, in the 1840s. It took us more than 100 years to recognize its benefits. In 1960s, National Mineral Wool Association published the first standard that explained to the homeowners the benefits of using fiberglass insulation in their houses. The concept of reflective insulation was first introduced in 1954. This concept has been employed by NASA on virtually all missions, one of the most memorable early displays being the shiny insulation coating on the base of the Apollo lunar landing vehicles. It is the same concept that we see in the "Space Blanket" used by marathons' organizers to keep runners from getting hypothermia, and which becomes synonymous with finishing a race. The same idea is employed by rescue blanket creators, who use the strong infrared-reflective insulating material as emergency blankets for victims of disasters, so they can wrap up and share body heat.

So, why is it taking us so long to realize the potential of this simple solution?

There are many ways to save energy in home constructions, but we should stop turning a blind eye on one of the simplest, yet one of the most efficient and inexpensive one.

For more information about reflective insulation materials, go to http://www.calemtech.com or http://www.coolattix.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Reflective-Insulation---From-NASA-to-Rescue-Missions-Bypassing-the-Homes&id=3976235] Reflective Insulation - From NASA to Rescue Missions Bypassing the Homes

Radiant Barrier Insulation - NASA Inspired Ultra Efficient Attic Insulation

Radiant Barrier Insulation is a reflective insulation made mostly out of aluminum. There are lots of different types radiant barrier out there and they all have their specific applications. I know mostly about radiant barrier that is used to retrofit existing homes, specifically adding the insulation to the attic.

There are some radiant barrier types that are used in new constructions which are placed in the walls or under concrete etc but again, I'm focusing mainly on the addition of the material to an existing home on top of the existing attic insulation. When radiant barrier is rolled out on top o the existing attic insulation people can expect so see an average of 17% reduction in their heating and cooling costs.

Some people even claim as much as a 50% reduction in their monthly bills but that's more of an extreme case. The difference comes in how you use your electricity and/or natural gas. If you have an enormous house with giant vaulted ceilings and live in Arizona and like to keep your house at 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer then adding radiant barrier might actually save you 50% or so.

But if you have a really small house and you live in a moderate climate and most of your electricity is used for your 5 giant plasma TV's and you only turn the air conditioner on once or twice a summer, then you probably won't see that large of a reduction in your utilities bills. Whether or not you see a reduction in your utilities bills you will most certainly be able to maintain a comfortable temperature in your house much more easily than with only the standard mass insulation (fiberglass, cellulose, styrofoam etc).

The most cost effective way to install the radiant barrier insulation into your attic is to simply lay it on top of the existing insulation. If you're going to do this just make sure that you use material that allows water vapor to pass through it so you don't have any moisture condensation problems. And just follow the directions provided to you by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer doesn't provide instructions then you should choose a different manufacturer. If you're going to hire someone to do it then make sure they are bonded and insured so that if they fall through your roof you won't be stuck with the bill.

Nicholas Nelson - Radiant Barrier Insulation [http://radiantbarrierinsulation.org/]
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Radiant-Barrier-Insulation---NASA-Inspired-Ultra-Efficient-Attic-Insulation&id=2960176] Radiant Barrier Insulation - NASA Inspired Ultra Efficient Attic Insulation

Reflective Foil Insulation - What Size Rolls Are Available?

Author: Nick Semon

The best residential insulation system today includes the use of three different products; sprayed in foam insulation, fiberglass, and radiant barriers or reflective foil insulation.

The reasons to use sprayed in foam insulation are clear cut. Provided the application is done correctly, foams ability to stop air infiltration or the transfer of convective heat is unequal in comparison to other insulation types. The only initial drawback is cost. Fiberglass insulation does the same job, although not as well for a lesser cost. Radiant barriers or reflective foil insulation are the only way to stop the transfer of radiant heat and have proven themselves extremely effective especially in attic, house-wrap, and under-slab applications.

Attic radiant barriers and house-wraps are all sold in a particular size range, all fitting for their use. Generally the roll size is 48" wide and 125' or 250' long. Under slab reflective foil insulation is sold in rolls of 16" x 125' or 48" x 125'.

But what happens if you need specific size rolls for other insulation projects such as walls, ceilings, crawlspaces, or duct wrap applications for example? The problem is that most suppliers whether e-commerce or the traditional construction supply house do not offer any other size roll options. Furthermore, they may not be aware of where to get the information for you. This severely limits your applications and makes installation more labor intensive and time consuming.

The following is a list of reflective foil insulation roll sizes that are available on the market today.

12" x 50'
24" x 50'
36" x 50'
48" x 50'
16" x 75'
24" x 75'
48" x 100'
16" x 125'
18" x 125'
24" x 125'

Note: For large or commercial projects the standard industry roll size is 48" x 125' or 500 square feet.

Despite consumer awareness, the roll size offered by manufacturers of reflective foil insulation is actually very broad, larger than that of fiberglass manufacturers. This allows the incorporation of radiant barrier systems in all applications and guarantees the easiest installation possible. This all reduces material waste, time, and labor making your insulation project more efficient.

Nick Semon is the owner of [http://www.insulationstop.com]Insulationstop.com, a leading online supplier of radiant barrier and reflective foil insulation products. He uses his 15 year experience in the building materials industry to provide information to consumers about better insulation practices. For more information on saving energy visit [http://www.insulateourearth.wordpress.com]InsulateOurEarth.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Reflective-Foil-Insulation---What-Size-Rolls-Are-Available?&id=2416556] Reflective Foil Insulation - What Size Rolls Are Available?