During the summer, heat flows naturally from a warm place to a cooler space. In the winter, heated air will try to flow to an unheated garage, basement … or attic. To maintain your comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner. The majority of heat transfer in homes takes place in the largest room of your house…the attic.

Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance called R-value. The thicker your attic insulation is, the higher R-value your home will have. Currently, the Department of Energy is recommending an R-49 for our area. An R-49 equals 18” of insulation on your attic floor!

• Your home is more than 10 years old. Insulation can settle over time, reducing your R-value and contributing to higher energy bills.
• Your home has hot or cold rooms. Inconsistent levels of insulation can contribute to heat gain or poor heat retention.
• While in your attic, you can see your floor joists. Most ceiling joist are only 6”. If you can see the top of them, your R-value is around an R-19. That’s not even close to the R-49 The Department of Energy recommends.
• You have rolls (Batts) of insulation in your attic. Older homes were constructed with Batt insulation. Adding blow-in insulation over these Batts will form an even layer of insulation that will cover any gaps or cracks, helping to seal your home.

• Your A/C unit runs continuously during summer months. As heat builds up in your attic, it radiates to the attic floor, then into the adjacent living areas, resulting in higher temperatures.
• Your A/C unit delivers warm air to certain rooms in your home. With attic temperatures reaching 150 degrees during the summer months, this heat can penetrate your ductwork and heat the air-conditioned air.
• Your roof is older than 10 years. Building codes have since improved and the importance of attic ventilation has become extremely important. Additional intake and exhaust ventilation might be necessary to properly ventilate your home.

A radiant barrier is a material that is installed in your attic to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss. Sprayed on the underside of your roof deck, a radiant barrier can stop 75 percent of potential heat transfer into the attic and reduce your attic temperature up to 35 degrees. Unlike foil-covered substrates, a spray on radiant barrier can easily be applied in a few hours rather than a few days.

• You have high-energy bills during the summer. Adding a radiant barrier can reduce the amount of heat that transmits into your living space, helping to lower your energy bills.
• West facing rooms are hotter than other parts of your home. Radiant energy from the sun can increase room temperature by 15 degrees. Installing a radiant barrier will stop 75 percent of the potential heat transfer.
• Your home has no tree coverage. Tree coverage can provide shade that limits the amount of radiant heat that is transmitted into your attic. Adding a radiant barrier to the underside of your roof deck has the same shading effect.

For reliable and professional installations on energy efficiency products, The Energy Show.com is your best resource for making your home more energy efficient. From windows to radiant barriers, insulation to air conditioners, relax and let our certified and insured installers do it for you.

Trust The Energy Show.com and our elite group of specialist to guide you through your energy efficiency upgrades. Get your perfect home comfort system in three easy steps.

1. Free in-home consultation
   Call 1-877-8-ENERGY and schedule your free in-home consultation. A certified specialist will visit your home and evaluate your current equipment, review your comfort preferences and help you select the best systems for your needs. Our specialist will then provide you with a written estimate that documents all of the suggested improvements.
2. Quality installation
   A licensed and insured specialist will deliver and install your new system. Once installed, our specialist will walk you through a Quality Assurance checklist, making sure that everything is installed to your exact specifications.
3. Completion Assessment
   After the installation is complete, we’ll follow up with you to make sure you are completely satisfied with your new system. If you have any questions or concerns about your new addition, we’ll arrange for our specialist to re-visit your home and address them. The Energy Show.com stands behind the service you receive.