Radiant barriers have been in science magazines and featured in heating and cooling articles in abundance for the past few years. A radiant barrier is the next big improvement a family can purchase and have installed in the attic or crawl space. The advantages are three-fold when using radiant barriers to help improve energy consumption.
Though they've been written about for a couple of years, radiant barriers are relatively newcomers to the heating and cooling scene. Until recently, most families and homes have relied upon traditional fiberglass batting to maintain the interior temperature by preventing heat loss or heat penetration through the building envelope. As technology evolved and improved so did methods of insulation. Quite commonly used in existing houses is expanding spray foam insulation. Green insulation such as recycled denim and newspaper is frequently used in air blown loose fill insulation. There are still more types of insulation available, but some are more effective than others depending upon geographic region. Radiant barriers, however, have consistently performed well throughout all regions and climates.
Radiant barriers were developed from advances in space exploration. The same technology used in astronauts' space suits is what is behind radiant barriers today. Just as space suits retain the internal temperature of body heat from the astronaut while reflecting the cold of space, so does the radiant barrier which is installed in a family's attic.
In fall and winter seasons large amounts of heat can be lost through ceilings, fiberglass insulation, and the roof itself. The reflective nature of radiant barriers helps minimize any great temperature fluctuation in the living space of a home by minimizing any heat loss through the ceiling and fiberglass insulation. Conversely, a radiant barrier helps to minimize the heat of summer time from penetrating through the attic space and into the living quarters.
The advantages of installing a radiant barrier should allow the average homeowner to see a drop in their electric bill or fuel bill. Without the need to have the air conditioner cycle on more frequently, the savings will add up. Additionally, the less energy used to cool or heat helps reduce the amount of pollution being produced. The last benefit of having a radiant barrier is that the energy efficiency of the radiant barrier is a good selling feature that can put a potential buyer's mind at ease, should the homeowner ever place the home on the market.
To watch newscast and testing videos, or for more information and guidance about radiant barrier insulation, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in saving utility costs through a Temper Shield Radiant Barrier.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Utility Improvements : What others have to say
Temper Shield is the product you promised to deliver.
We are very conservative and tend not to fall for the "sales pitch". Because we knew we had a problem with higher heat on the second floor, Temper Shield sounded like a viable solution - simple and effective. We did the right thing by installing Temper Shield. It has only been two weeks and already we feel the payback is more than positive.
For us, your product was most appealing because it promised greater comfort. The heat would be trapped in the attic and not penetrate past the barrier of Temper Shield you would install. This would keep the second floor close to the same temperature as the first floor. As a bonus, we have also noticed the first floor is cooler. Keeping the second floor cooler accomplished our goals;
We were very impressed with your installation crew and the quality of their work. Your professional installers were very thorough and neat during the installation process. They promised to move and return everything in the attic as it had been before they started, and indeed that was the case.
In summary, we have strongly recommended Temper Shield to our friends, neighbors and relatives. We are very pleased and feel the investment is worth every penny. Thank you again for:
We are very conservative and tend not to fall for the "sales pitch". Because we knew we had a problem with higher heat on the second floor, Temper Shield sounded like a viable solution - simple and effective. We did the right thing by installing Temper Shield. It has only been two weeks and already we feel the payback is more than positive.
For us, your product was most appealing because it promised greater comfort. The heat would be trapped in the attic and not penetrate past the barrier of Temper Shield you would install. This would keep the second floor close to the same temperature as the first floor. As a bonus, we have also noticed the first floor is cooler. Keeping the second floor cooler accomplished our goals;
- As you walk up the steps, no more temperature rise of 10+ degrees (the additional heat was that or more) prior to installation of Temper Shield. We're still amazed and continue to comment about how much cooler it is.
- We do not have to turn the air conditioning on as often as we had prior to installation.
- We are able to sleep with the windows open more often; we enjoy sleeping in the fresh air.
- Less air conditioning means lower utility bills.
We were very impressed with your installation crew and the quality of their work. Your professional installers were very thorough and neat during the installation process. They promised to move and return everything in the attic as it had been before they started, and indeed that was the case.
In summary, we have strongly recommended Temper Shield to our friends, neighbors and relatives. We are very pleased and feel the investment is worth every penny. Thank you again for:
- Worthwhile and sound product for our home
- Consistent temperature between first and second floor
- Less air conditioning
- Lower utility bills
- Professional Installation
- MOST IMPORTANT - delivering what you promised
- Jim & Joanna
I just wanted to say how pleased we are with our installation. While our furnace was out we only had our fireplace and 2 small electric heaters to heat our home. By closing the doors to the rooms off our living area we were comfortable. We believe GOD knew we were going to have problems with our furnace and he sent you to help us. By having Temper Shield in our attic, we think it kept the heat down in our living area and not going to the attic and outside.
Again, thank you, Mr/Mrs Bickish, Nick & Tyler, may God bless you and your families.
Again, thank you, Mr/Mrs Bickish, Nick & Tyler, may God bless you and your families.
- Tom & Edna Jackson
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Has Temper Shield been tested by a qualified independent lab or government agency?
The Florida Solar Energy Center at Cape Canaveral has tested Temper Shield in both small scale laboratories and in full scale building models. Their results indicate that Temper Shield can provide significant resistance to heat transfer. Test conducted by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ridge Laboratories in Tennessee, and the University of Mississippi support the findings from the Florida Solar Energy Center. Northeastern Illinois University conducted winter test in residential and commercial structures using infra-red thermograph photography. The photos showed significant resistance to heat transfer over regular insulation.
Visit Utility Improvements at www.utilityimprovements.com to learn more.
Visit Utility Improvements at www.utilityimprovements.com to learn more.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Utility Improvements : Frequently Asked Questions
Will Temper Shield make my attic hotter in the summer?
No. In fact, research has confirmed that summertime attic temperatures will be much cooler with Temper Shield in place.
Do I have to take my old insulation out before installing Temper Shield?
No. Temper Shield actually makes your present insulation more effective.
If I lay Temper Shield on my regular insulation will it cause a moisture problem?
No. The tiny holes in Temper Shield allow moisture to escape from your regular insulation.
I already have plenty of insulation in my attic. Do I really need Temper Shield?
Regardless of how much insulation you have in your attic, adding Temper Shield can save on your heating and cooling expense, and keep you much more comfortable. Energy savings in many homes for heating and cooling can range from 22 to 55% depending on a number of factors including climate, building configuration, materials used, site, family size, and lifestyle.
Click here to learn more about Temper Shield.
No. In fact, research has confirmed that summertime attic temperatures will be much cooler with Temper Shield in place.
Do I have to take my old insulation out before installing Temper Shield?
No. Temper Shield actually makes your present insulation more effective.
If I lay Temper Shield on my regular insulation will it cause a moisture problem?
No. The tiny holes in Temper Shield allow moisture to escape from your regular insulation.
I already have plenty of insulation in my attic. Do I really need Temper Shield?
Regardless of how much insulation you have in your attic, adding Temper Shield can save on your heating and cooling expense, and keep you much more comfortable. Energy savings in many homes for heating and cooling can range from 22 to 55% depending on a number of factors including climate, building configuration, materials used, site, family size, and lifestyle.
Click here to learn more about Temper Shield.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Where do you install Temper Shield?
Temper Shield can be laid over your present insulation like a blanket or stapled under rafters and in crawl spaces. With Temper Shield, the furnace and sun's heat bounces back - it does not penetrate the reflective surface.
Improve the comfort of your home and save money by making your current insulation more efficient.
Temper Shield is a space blanket for your attic. It reduces heat transfer in both summer and winter. Temper Shield works like the astronaut's reflective suit which protects him from both heat and cold.
Visit www.utilityimprovements.com for more information on Temper Shield.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions about Temper Shield
How does it work?
Temper Shield is a space age reflective material. Unlike mass insulation, which slows down the heat transfer, Temper Shield reflects heat. To stop radiant heat, you must reflect it with a reflective barrier like Temper Shield.
How will Temper Shield keep me warmer in the winter?
Just like wrapping a baked potato in aluminum foil keeps a potato warm longer by holding the heat in, covering your attic insulation with Temper Shield holds the heat in the house. Another analogy would be that Temper Shield in the winter works just like a space blanket, which, although very thin and lightweight holds your body heat in. A thin space blanket can keep you warmer than several heavy blankets.
Okay, if in the winter Temper Shield keeps heat in, how can it keep it out in the summer?
Temper Shield reflects the sun's heat before it can warm up the insulation in your attic. When the insulation stays cooler, your house stays cooler. It may help to understand how Temper Shield will work for you if you think of other things that perform in the same way; Astronauts Space Suits - keep body heat in, and reflect the sun's heat away.
Temper Shield is a space age reflective material. Unlike mass insulation, which slows down the heat transfer, Temper Shield reflects heat. To stop radiant heat, you must reflect it with a reflective barrier like Temper Shield.
How will Temper Shield keep me warmer in the winter?
Just like wrapping a baked potato in aluminum foil keeps a potato warm longer by holding the heat in, covering your attic insulation with Temper Shield holds the heat in the house. Another analogy would be that Temper Shield in the winter works just like a space blanket, which, although very thin and lightweight holds your body heat in. A thin space blanket can keep you warmer than several heavy blankets.
Okay, if in the winter Temper Shield keeps heat in, how can it keep it out in the summer?
Temper Shield reflects the sun's heat before it can warm up the insulation in your attic. When the insulation stays cooler, your house stays cooler. It may help to understand how Temper Shield will work for you if you think of other things that perform in the same way; Astronauts Space Suits - keep body heat in, and reflect the sun's heat away.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Heating Your House in Summer Doesn't Make Sense - Then Why Are You?
More and more homeowners are becoming concerned with their home's efficiency with regards to heating and cooling. There are different reasons for conducting a home energy audit. They all boil down to saving money, but not necessarily in the way one might think.
The average homeowner that has an energy audit conducted is primarily concerned with preventing drafts and air leakage that will force their HVAC system to work longer and harder than it should. Again, while this is the main focus, several other benefits can manifest of which the homeowner is unaware.
Once the energy audit is completed and the results are compiled and presented, the homeowner will want to better insulate those areas that are problem areas. This will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the drafts and leaks that were present thereby saving money on running the HVAC system as much.
A common and prevalent problem area in almost every existing structure is heat loss passing through the ceiling and slowly seeping through the attic insulation. Choosing the correct insulation is paramount. A radiant barrier will solve the problem, but not every problem area will require the same type of insulation. Leaks at the windows, doors, and even insulation around the water heater need to have specific types just for their own application such as spray foam insulation.
By correctly insulating problem areas, a second benefit is to the family's health. Any moist air that has penetrated the envelope of the house has the potential to cause mold and can provide health risks and increase healthcare costs. Although this is not a widely rampant situation from just a few small air leakages, it is something to be concerned about. Those families that live in a humid region and have a member with asthma or other respiratory condition should be even more concerned given the nature of these conditions.
Providing that the problem areas are remedied, a home energy audit can improve the perceived quality of the home when it comes time to sell. Showing that a home's energy efficiency is high is a strong selling point and is becoming a major concern to prospective home buyers as energy costs continue to increase.
The last major benefit is that the home will just be more comfortable to live in for the family. Life is short, but if it isn't comfortable, it can be much longer and more miserable than can be imagined.
For more information and guidance about radiant barriers and energy efficiency, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements offers Temper Shield, a radiant barrier product that can be installed economically.
The average homeowner that has an energy audit conducted is primarily concerned with preventing drafts and air leakage that will force their HVAC system to work longer and harder than it should. Again, while this is the main focus, several other benefits can manifest of which the homeowner is unaware.
Once the energy audit is completed and the results are compiled and presented, the homeowner will want to better insulate those areas that are problem areas. This will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the drafts and leaks that were present thereby saving money on running the HVAC system as much.
A common and prevalent problem area in almost every existing structure is heat loss passing through the ceiling and slowly seeping through the attic insulation. Choosing the correct insulation is paramount. A radiant barrier will solve the problem, but not every problem area will require the same type of insulation. Leaks at the windows, doors, and even insulation around the water heater need to have specific types just for their own application such as spray foam insulation.
By correctly insulating problem areas, a second benefit is to the family's health. Any moist air that has penetrated the envelope of the house has the potential to cause mold and can provide health risks and increase healthcare costs. Although this is not a widely rampant situation from just a few small air leakages, it is something to be concerned about. Those families that live in a humid region and have a member with asthma or other respiratory condition should be even more concerned given the nature of these conditions.
Providing that the problem areas are remedied, a home energy audit can improve the perceived quality of the home when it comes time to sell. Showing that a home's energy efficiency is high is a strong selling point and is becoming a major concern to prospective home buyers as energy costs continue to increase.
The last major benefit is that the home will just be more comfortable to live in for the family. Life is short, but if it isn't comfortable, it can be much longer and more miserable than can be imagined.
For more information and guidance about radiant barriers and energy efficiency, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements offers Temper Shield, a radiant barrier product that can be installed economically.
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