Radiant Barrier Chips Being
Installed
The RBS Chips were to be tested side by side at FSEC against two other types of radiant barriers and a comparison cell with R-19 insulation and no radiant barrier. The main purpose of this test was to measure degradation due to dust accumulation over time, a significant problem with previous radiant barrier products placed above the insulation. The many layers of our RBS Chip overcome the dust problem and continue to offer performance and energy savings.
The
testing showed our RBS
Chips returned a 42% percent reduction after the introduction of dust. As
can be seen below, the tests were performed in 1989. The chips tested
during this evaluation were a hand made, prototype product which has
since been replaced by a higher performing design which offers better
coverage, increased protection from dust. It is not uncommon to
see a 25% to 40% decrease in total
monthly energy costs and increased
comfort after the application of RBS Chips. These savings are
both for cooling costs and heating costs in colder climates.
Further, not only is the multiple layers of RBS used to overcome the
dust issue (that's the main claim in the patent), more than one layer
of a reflective surface facing other reflective surfaces further
benefits the performance. This is what gives a thermos bottle
such outstanding performance. Hot coffee or ice tea, works great
for both. We now manufacture a new multi-layered RBS membrane
product called "Thermal
Control Membrane" (TCM), which, in simple terms, can be described
as a flexible Thermos Bottle.
This sheet form
can be used in attics without being affected by dust accumulation due
to the multiple layers sandwiched together with air spaces in
between. New homes that have TCM in the walls and ceiling must
have the HVAC sizing reduced by 50%.
TESTING
OF RBS CHIPS
Three types of floor mounted radiant barriers were tested. The
purpose of this test was to gauge the degradation of performance after
the accumulation of dust.
Powdered gypsum drywall (emissivity .95), was blown into each test cell
completely covering the radiant barriers. Only RBS Chips
continued working. Once completely covered, the single layer
radiant barrier ceased performing. Not difficult to comprehend given
the fact that infrared energy is an electromagnetive wave form and
bounces off reflective surfaces.
More dust was then blown in and a small percentage of performance loss
occurred. When asked "how much more dust added", it became known
that 1/2" of dust was blown in over the chips.
Unfortunately, as can be seen below, the test has been marked "CONFIDENTIAL" (since 1989) and cannot be reprinted (see cover page of test below).
These tests were performed using four identical, unoccupied homes for data collection and measurement of power usage. All power was shut off in these homes except for the heat pump.
The
tests ran for several
months as APS collected data. The graph below illustrates a typical day
of electricity consumed by all of the RBS products as tested against
the control home without RBS (the dark black line). Notice the RBS Chip
outperformed all other types of radiant barrier tested.
Please
note the statement
printed across the face of the graph above stating: "test results are inconsistent with
Engineering calculations and must be verified before being accepted as
being factual". This is a true statement. However, the results
of this test were compiled from real houses (just
like yours), with real electricity while "Engineering
calculations" are based on test boxes
and computer models.
2)
Plywood laminated with
radiant barrier has a similar effect though not as drastic as the
rafter application.
The explanation for this is
simple
once emissivity and
convection are understood. The plywood roof deck, with a lowered
emissivity due to the placement of radiant barrier, raises the
temperature of the wood (much like a chrome car bumper on a sunny day).
This in turn increases the convective currents in the attic which in
turn superheats the insulation to a temperature higher than at home without
radiant barrier! Manufacturers of this product claim lower attic
temperatures at noon which can be seen in the graph above. It is
not until 4-5pm that the trapped heat becomes apparent and raises the
need for electricity higher than that of a home without a
radiant barrier. Notice only the RBS Chip was below the control
home all day. Keep in mind this is one day.
Truth
is, RBS Chips keep you home more comfortable and energy efficient everyday.
3) As can be seen in the graph, a radiant barrier placed directly over the insulation significantly reduces energy costs by keeping the insulation cooler. Our patented Radiant Barrier Chip product overcomes the anomalies once associated with this placement: performance degradation due to dust accumulation, labor intensive installations and moisture condensation in colder climates.
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Copyright 1997-2007 Horizon
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