A few words from another satisfied customer
 

5/31/07
To:  mrfoil

From:  Norman   / Wilmington, DE

I want to share some results after installing radiant barrier foil ( BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier ) that I purchased from you.  But first, a little background.

We have a 3000 – plus square foot Cape Cod house.  The attic has 10-12 inches of fiberglass insulation. The second floor level is sided with aluminum, Tyvek and rigid insulation.  New windows are argon filled with an  “E” classification.  The central air conditioning unit keeps the downstairs comfortable but three bedrooms and two baths on the second floor are uncomfortably warm during the summer.

One bedroom is worse than the others because it is built into a dormer with a low slope roof.  A 4000 Btu/hr. window air conditioner is used to get some relief. Note: I’ll refer to this room as Marisa’s Room”.  

I installed the radiant thermal barrier ( BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier ) by laying it horizontally over the existing insulation.  This was done throughout the primary attic as well as some second floor areas that had been insulated. ( *Note: Customer also covered part of the HVAC Duct work in these areas with the BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier )

Fortunately, I had taken some temperature measurements before installing the film ( BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier ). With the AC off and only a 70 0 F ambient air temperature, the dining room ( Downstairs area ) was at a comfortable 75 0  F; however, Marisa’s bedroom was at an uncomfortable 86 0 F. You can imagine how hot the room would have been if it were a hot day.

The picture changed after the foil barrier ( BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier ) was installed. With the AC on or off and ambient temperatures ranging from 77 to 92 0  F, Marisa’s room has been at comfortable levels in the mid 70’s – almost equal to the central AC set point of 75 0  F.  Basically, we are experiencing at least a 10 0 F temperature reduction in the troublesome bedroom. 

Two other positive benefits have evolved by installing the film ( BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier ) -- we have experienced an overall improved comfort level and the duct discharge temperature is 20 0  F lower than the room temperature.   ( *This is most likely because the duct work was shielded from the heat by the BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier.) A 15 degree differential (room – duct discharge) is usually considered standard.( *Customer measured the 15 0 F differential prior to installing the BTUBUSTERS Radiant Barrier )   This means that fewer KWH’s are being used to cool the house.

* Editor's / mrfoil's notes added after telephone conversation with customer.

A summary of my limited temperature data is presented below.


                                                            OPERATING CONDITIONS AND TEMPERATURE DATA 
           

                          Foil                                                                 Temperatures ( 0  F)

            Date       Installed          AC      AC Set Pt            Ambient           Downstairs        Marisa’s Room

   

         5/20/07       No                 No        --------                   70                     75                     86

 

         5/23/07       Yes               No         --------                  78                     74                     76

 

         5/24/07       Yes                No        ----------                 91                    77                     78

     

         5/25/07       Yes               Yes         75                     81                    75                      76

 

         5/29/07       Yes               Yes         75                     80                   76                       77

 

         5/30/07       Yes               Yes         75                     84                  74                        76

 

         5/30/07#2    Yes               Yes         75                     92                  75                        77

 

        5/31/07       Yes                 Yes        75                     91                  75                         77

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