Attic Insulation Radiation Vs Conduction

Radiant barriers are installed in homes usually in attics primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs.

Attic insulation radiation vs conduction.

While conduction is the transfer of heat energy by direct contact convection is the movement of heat by actual motion of matter. R value the traditional measure of an insulation s effectiveness measures only one of these six mechanisms. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Convection is when heat is transferred through the air inside the attic and heats the insulation and conduction occurs when heat moves through the insulation to the building below.

This is because foil insulation reduces radiant heat gain rather than slowing conductive and convective heat flow. The matter is present around us in three states solid liquid and gas. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. While heat is radiated and conducted in all directions it always moves from hot areas to cold areas.

The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. Radiation infra red is augmented by convection and conduction. Insulation thermal breaks and air sealing prevent conduction and convection. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

Unlike fiberglass cellulose and other traditional thermal insulation radiant barrier isn t installed on the attic floor instead it s installed in the attic ceiling just below the roof. Always check labels for specifics on. By the end of a hot summer day expect the air temperature in some spots of your attic to reach over 140 degrees. For heat to travel from your body through your down jacket it has to move by conduction through the tiny feather fibers that are in contact with each other.

Radiant barriers prevent heat transfer through radiation only. Conduction convection and radiation. Radiation occurs when electromagnetic rays transfer heat into an object like when the sun heats up concrete or sand and they re too hot to walk on. They don t however reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.

Conduction is the transfer of heat within an object or between two objects in contact. Conduction is best represented through heating a pot of water on the stove. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Insulation works by slowing the transfer of heat which can move in three ways.

Emissivity or emittance measures how much radiant energy a material emits. It s rated on a scale from 0 to 1. The lower the value the less energy emitted. Once temperatures soar that high there is little that the conventional insulation types like batt and blown combatting convective air transfer can do to stop the heat before it makes its way to the living spaces of your home.

Radiation is the transfer of energy with the help of electromagnetic waves.