How Does Reflective Insulation Work

Found in major outlets such as in home depot s insulation aisle reflectix comes in tightly spooled rolls of 25 by 2 feet of shiny reflective foil look bubble wrap texture insulation in plastic bags.

How does reflective insulation work.

Reflective insulation and radiant barriers work well in warm climates particularly in homes with. For foil insulation to be most effective the reflective surface should face an air space. Fiberglass roof insulation works like a blanket spread over your house keeping thermal energy out during the summer and keeping the heat in during the winter. The idea is that this thin material can act as a type of insulation in tight spaces where you cannot put thick fiberglass insulation.

This rate of heat transfer can be quantified for a specific application by an r value. The primary function of reflective insulation is to reduce radiant heat transfer across open spaces. Convection is when heat is transferred through the air inside the attic and heats the insulation and conduction occurs when heat moves through the insulation to the building below. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain.

Dust accumulation on the reflective surface will reduce its reflective capability. The radiant barrier should be installed in a manner to minimize dust accumulation on the reflective surface. The low emittance metal surface of reflective insulation blocks up to 96 of the radiation and therefore a significant part of the heat transfer. A reflective insulation is a material or assembly that reduces the rate of radiant heat transfer across air spaces by use of one or more highly reflective surfaces.

Reflective insulation reflects radiant heat and works best with a still air layer of at least 25mm 1 inch. Radiation infra red is augmented by convection and conduction. Reflective insulation is made from. Air ducts in the attic asphalt roofing which more easily absorbs heat from the sun little to no shading from trees.

Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. To be effective the reflective surface must face an air space. It is most effective when kept clean and dust free. To understand how insulation works it helps to understand the basics of heat flow which involves three basic mechanisms conduction convection and radiation.