As the summer comes around in New Jersey, temperatures get hotter, and so does your home. If you’re looking for a way to reduce summer heat gain and decrease your energy bills, you may be wondering about radiant barriers. At New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc., we provide attic insulation services near you in New Jersey. Here, we discuss radiant barrier insulation and whether it will be beneficial in New Jersey summers.

Key Takeaways

• A radiant barrier is installed in a home’s attic to reflect heat away and control the home’s temperature.
• For New Jersey homes, a radiant barrier can be an effective way to save on energy costs.
• A radiant barrier may be ineffective when a home is in a cold climate or when it is improperly placed or not maintained appropriately.

What a Radiant Barrier Actually Does

A radiant barrier is a highly reflective material that is typically installed in the roofing rafters of an attic. It helps to reflect heat away from the attic and back toward its origin, helping to control your home’s temperature.

Compared to standard fiberglass or foam insulation, radiant barrier insulation differs because it blocks radiant heat, or heat that transfers across space to other objects. Standard insulation types block conductive and convective heat, not radiant. Therefore, they allow the heat from the sun to enter your attic and spread to the rest of your home. A radiant barrier addresses this problem, helping to keep your home cooler in summer. These barriers can also be beneficial in winter by reflecting interior heat back into the home, decreasing heat loss through the roof.

Do Radiant Barriers Help in New Jersey Summers?

Radiant barriers are most suitable for hot, sunny climates where cooling costs are high. Since New Jersey has hot weather in summer, but not year-round, you may wonder if radiant barriers will be effective in your home.

Radiant barriers can be an effective option for homeowners in New Jersey. When installed in attics, they can reflect heat away, reduce attic temperatures, and lower cooling costs by 5% to 10%. However, they work better in certain homes than others, especially those with lots of sunlight, dark-colored roofs, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and ductwork in the attic.

Where Radiant Barriers Fall Short

Although radiant barriers are effective at reflecting radiant heat in hot climates, there are some situations where they don’t live up to the hype. These include:

• Improper placement or coverage: A radiant barrier must be installed properly to provide valuable benefits. If the reflective side isn’t facing toward the air space, or if there is no air space, it won’t reflect heat properly. If the barrier is installed with gaps or overlaps, it can lead to radiant heat leaking into the attic space, making the cooling properties less effective.
• Lack of maintenance: Radiant barriers must be maintained and cleaned to work optimally. If dust and dirt accumulate, or if oxidation occurs, the reflective surface of the barrier is less reflective and, therefore, less efficient.
• Cold climate: Although radiant barriers can help keep heat inside during winter, their main purpose is to cool down homes in hot, sunny climates. If the area doesn’t receive much sun, the benefit of a radiant barrier is limited.

Radiant barriers also have functional limitations. They don’t replace conventional R-value insulation, and they only stop radiant heat, not conduction or convection. They typically work best as an addition to adequate insulation.

How to Decide if a Radiant Barrier Is Worth Considering

If you’re thinking about adding a radiant barrier to your New Jersey home, there are some questions you should ask yourself before spending money. They include:

• Do I have high cooling costs?
• Is my air conditioning ductwork in the attic?
• Is my roof fully exposed to the sun, or is it more shaded?
• Do I have other, more important improvements to perform first?
• Is my current insulation insufficient?
• What is the expected return on investment?

The answers to these questions can help you determine whether a radiant barrier is a smart investment. If you live in a hot climate, have high cooling costs, and already have HVAC ducts and insulation in your attic, a radiant barrier is likely a good choice. However, if you have damaged or insufficient insulation in your attic, replacing that first is typically a better option.

Find Radiant Barrier Services Near You in New Jersey

Are you interested in learning more about radiant barrier systems for your New Jersey home? New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc., provides radiant barrier installation in service areas near you throughout New Jersey. We also provide financing and special offers to make costs more manageable. To get more information on our radiant barrier systems, contact us today.

Radiant Barrier FAQ

Does a radiant barrier replace traditional insulation?

No, a radiant barrier doesn’t replace traditional insulation; it complements it.

Will a radiant barrier work if my home is shaded?

Yes, a radiant barrier will still work if your home is shaded. However, they work best in direct sunlight.

How much energy does a radiant barrier save?

Energy savings depend on factors like the home, climate, and existing insulation, but a radiant barrier typically reduces energy costs by 5% to 10%

Do radiant barriers have an R-value?

No, radiant barriers do not have an R-value like other types of standard insulation.

Can I use a radiant barrier with other forms of insulation?

Yes, you can and should use a radiant barrier with other types of insulation.