Comfenergy Case Studies: Fixing Uneven Temps with Radiant Barrier
Challenge
A homeowner in Gainesboro, VA was having trouble with uneven temperatures throughout her home. The main floor remained cooler than the upper floor when the heat was on. The opposite when the air was on. This older home was drafty, and had poor insulation which caused the heating and cooling systems to work overtime to maintain an even temperature. These temperature swings were even more exaggerated because this home had ductwork which ran through the attic. On hot summer days, the strong sun heats up roofing, which can radiate down into the attic, the ceilings, and eventually down into the rooms. The AC has to work hard and often can't keep up to get rid of this heat.
Solution
Our very knowledgeable Comfort and Energy Specialist, Carl, customized a multistep solution to solve this homeowner's problems. Then our awesome production crew got to work. The first step was to remove the existing old and insufficient insulation. The attic was air sealed, closing all accessible cracks and penetrations with expanding polyurethane foam and new soffit baffles were installed wherever they were needed. The chimney chase was sealed and TruSoft cellulose insulation was blown in to an R Value of 60. Next, Stefans' Radiant Barrier was applied along the underside of the roof rafters. This barrier reflects a lot of the heat, keeping the attic much cooler and therefore the ceiling and rooms below much cooler. Combined with air sealing and TruSoft insulation, this radiant barrier provides even temperatures throughout the house and lower energy bills.
Project Summary
Evaluator: Carl Depner
