Radiant Barrier - Worth it? (Boerne: new house, roofing, prices)

[713 to 210]

Ok, I'm considering a few options to make my house more energy friendly, but I can't decide what is best. Can y'all provide some insight into the benefits of:

1) Radiant Barrier - At $1400, is it worth it?
2) Ridge vents - At $1000, is it worth it?
3) Solar fans - At $550 each (I need 2), is it worth it?

Thanks ahead of time!

[Dopo]

My house is new and has radiant barrier,
when my house was being built I walked in to check on the house right after the roof was installed and I was surprised that the house was cooler than I expected (there were no walls or insulation, just the roof)

I recommend you going to a place where new houses are being built
come up with some story and tell them that you want to see how good the radiant barriers are
"right after it's installed when it is 100F outside".
That would be the best way for you to stand under a roof with radiant barrier and really see how good it works.

[kevcrawford]

Originally Posted by 713 to 210

Ok, I'm considering a few options to make my house more energy friendly, but I can't decide what is best. Can y'all provide some insight into the benefits of:

1) Radiant Barrier - At $1400, is it worth it?
2) Ridge vents - At $1000, is it worth it?
3) Solar fans - At $550 each (I need 2), is it worth it?

Thanks ahead of time!

The ridge vents are very efficient and worth the money. The old turbines work, but not nearly as well. The hot air has to circulate for a while to get to the turbine. With the ridge it rises right out.

Radiant barriers are the new hot thing. They definitely help, but they're not going to be the cure all. They help in conjunction with good roofing, ventilation and insulation.

If you can afford it, look into the foam insulation. That stuff is awesome. I had a client build an 8000 sf house and put that in there. We walked into the house when it was 15 outside. Nothing but exterior walls and insulation. It was about a 40 degree difference.

Not cheap though.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by kevcrawford

The ridge vents are very efficient and worth the money. The old turbines work, but not nearly as well. The hot air has to circulate for a while to get to the turbine. With the ridge it rises right out.

Radiant barriers are the new hot thing. They definitely help, but they're not going to be the cure all. They help in conjunction with good roofing, ventilation and insulation.

If you can afford it, look into the foam insulation. That stuff is awesome. I had a client build an 8000 sf house and put that in there. We walked into the house when it was 15 outside. Nothing but exterior walls and insulation. It was about a 40 degree difference.

Not cheap though.

Where was this? North Dakota?

[kevcrawford]

15 was probably an exaggeration, but with the wind chill it was well below freezing this winter. It was actually out in Boerne, but at the top of a hill, so the wind was cutting through everything.

[scuba steve]

Those prices are terrible. Seriously, you're getting gouged. Rolls of radiant barrier cost $135 per thousand square foot without any bulk (multiple roll) discounts.

As to whether it makes a difference or not, right now I'm looking at about a 30-degree difference in ambient temperature for areas in my attic with radiant barrier vs. without (145-150 vs. 117). I'm getting a new roof later this week and they'll be adding a ridge vent everywhere possible. Shingle color will also be just a bit lighter. I'll take more measurements after they're done.

[urbanski]

with the ridge vents you also need the proper soffit venting, i'm not a roofer but vents alone wont cut it. you'd want to ask the installer about that.
i have the vents and radiant barrier and i can tell you my attic isnt all that hot, even now. i have a big house but have had $250 CPS bills this summer. Pretty good I say.

[merc11ty]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

Those prices are terrible. Seriously, you're getting gouged. Rolls of radiant barrier cost $135 per thousand square foot without any bulk (multiple roll) discounts.

As to whether it makes a difference or not, right now I'm looking at about a 30-degree difference in ambient temperature for areas in my attic with radiant barrier vs. without (145-150 vs. 117). I'm getting a new roof later this week and they'll be adding a ridge vent everywhere possible. Shingle color will also be just a bit lighter. I'll take more measurements after they're done.

this is true, radiant barrier is not that expensive.

[713 to 210]

Originally Posted by merc11ty

this is true, radiant barrier is not that expensive.

Are y'all simply referring to the sheets of radiant barrier that you could put up yourself? Or the spray on for which I got the quote? Is one better than the other in an 8 yr old house?

[scuba steve]

Spray-on is quicker for whoever is putting it up, but has proven to be less effective through experiments conducted. Sheets of the stuff, stapled to the inside of the rafters (3 1/2 inches below the decking) has proven to be most effective. It's sold by the roll - that's the price I mentioned above.

Age of the house doesn't matter. What experiments have proven to be most effective is the combination of soffit venting, radiant barrier stapled to the rafters a few inches below the decking, and ridge venting. The superheated air between the decking and radiant barrier will escape through the ridge vent and is replaced with cooler air from outside the attic space through the soffit vents.