Glossy bumper is a relatively new product that consumers are slowly becoming aware of. It consists of a reflective composition placed in your attic that reflects heat before it enters your home. Our government, universities and independent workers have approved this new energy saving product and working. It seems difficult for people to turn their attic into a giant mirror reflecting the heat under their roof. By simply applying a coat of paint under the surface, it will transfer heat and seal the insect cracks and holes.
Roof temperatures can reach nearly 200 degrees. Attic temperatures can be as hot as 140 degrees. This heat creates moisture that falls to your attic area on your island. There is no reason why this will not work properly and the value will drop. A radiant barrier works triple duty by reflecting heat from your home, lowering the temperature in your attic, which makes your heater work more efficiently and this causes your A/C unit to work less. An added benefit is that your A/C ductwork lasts longer because it is not exposed to high temperatures that dry out and cause air cracks .
When you build a house, you must inform your builder that you want a radiant barrier installed. They have a decorative plywood material available that has a reflective finish on the bottom. The average extra cost is only 3 cents a square foot and this is the most effective form of radiant barrier. This installation of the radiant barrier should be done and not optional. This builder should not be using this product to build any home.
If you have a home without a radiant barrier, it will be more difficult and expensive to install. You should use caution when hiring a bleaching agent. All products are constantly popping up with copycat companies competing for market share. There are many inferior things that do not work well and if it is less than properly installed, it will not work or last as expected. You also have the option to install it yourself for free installation.
Several companies sell a substance ceramic paint that you add, and they claim that they will also cut your electric bill by 15-20%. These products may work but I would only use the radiant barrier product provided by Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions. Most installers will want to keep costs down and will use interior painting versus exterior painting which costs less. The places inside your attic are working at the same extreme temperatures as outside your house. It should also be painted with a high gloss which is reflected in the higher price. You also want to make sure that the paint is water based latex versus oil based which will create toxic fumes throughout your home. If you have oil-based paint installed and your gas appliances does not turn off or an electrical spark occurs; it might make a noise. Aluminum or silver paint colors will give more reflective properties than white paint. They only have two colors to use as a radiant barrier.
Every American would feel that we have a shortage of oil, but we have less natural gas. Most of our electric plants run on natural gas. Building new nuclear or coal burning electric plants will take decades to complete. Many people complain about the high cost of gasoline, but they don’t stop to think that their homes use far more natural resources than cars. By installing radiant barriers and reducing your electric bill by 30% or more, you can do your part to protect our environment, reduce our dependence on other countries, and help reduce our due to housing delays. Something they should know is that the underlying factor of all prospective homebuyers is “How much are my costs?” Many new home buyers ask about utility bills before buying a home. Some also need your permission to use this information. By installing a radiant barrier you are adding value to your home and reducing your electric bill, which will help sell your home.
It’s all energy efficient that works and if you take the precautions above, you’ll increase your savings. Americans can help our nation by making their homes more energy efficient. A radiant barrier is an affordable energy efficient product available for your home.
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U.S. Dept. of Energy
