AD - Interesting pictures.

For those that have already had some work done, I would be curious to know if you've actually noticed a difference in your electric bills.

My very unscientific (and low quality picture) of my screen heat allowance experience.

Kool Attics did the work at my house. I am very pleased with the overall job. Mike is very easy to work with and the installation crew left my house cleaner than what it was when they started.

Again, there has been a noticable change in my house. I am now comfortable in the middle of the day and my ac is not runnig 24/7...

What would happen if you used both the spray-on coating on the underside of your roof deck and the foil barrier on the bottom of your roof joists?

"What would happen if you used both the spray-on coating on the underside of your roof deck and the foil barrier on the bottom of your roof joists?"

It would create a rip in the space/time continuum.

After reading a bit more on this, it would appear that a reasonable payback on this (radiant spray) is about 4-5 years. I think there are a few more cost effective things I can do that would have quicker results (ie: blow in more insulation in the attic and throw up solar screens on the windows on the west side of my mansion).

AD - someone mentioned that foil might mess with your cell phone reception, have you noticed any difference?

No issues with cell phone...

McInnis,

You are correct there are things to do before you consider a radiant barrier for your home to lower your energy cost. Radiant barrier do help, but IMO i think you can do other things first that are more cost effective. Here is what I think people can do to reduce energy costs.

1. Increase attic insulation to a R-50 level. About 20" depending on which insulation you use. everyone needs a min. of R-30.
2. Use solar screens. When I ran a heat load on my house. 41% of the load on the second floor was solar radiation through the windows vs 26% through the roof.
3. Seal leaks in your duct system. pretty easy to do with duct sealer (like caulk) or duct tape. Go in your attic and see if you feel air blowing out of your AC system. If you do that needs to be sealed. Mine has leaks on the supply plenum box.
4. Have someone look at your duct sizing and duct routing. See any sharp bends or kinks in your duct. That isn't good.
5. If your HVAC unit is over 10 years old replace it with a high efficiency unit. 16 SEER or better.
6. Use compact Fluorescent light bulbs. Doesn't save that much energy, but every little bit helps, and this is cheap and easy to do.
7. If you have a knee wall in the attic, insulate it. Mine only has R-11 insulation which isn't much.
8. Use energy star appliances. Saves over the long run.

hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by chocolatelabs (edited 7/20/2008 9:05a).]

Just remember the EAS "Radiant Barrier" doesn't qualify as a radiant barrier. The paint is 60-65% blockage of radiant heat. The best part of this product is the ease of installing. If you have a choice, get something that will block atleast 90%.

Re: Solar Screens...

Check out this tintless window skin that home depot carries. Blocks heat, with no block of your view.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100592107&N=10000003+90008+503374



[This message has been edited by McInnis 03 (edited 7/20/2008 5:58p).]

When looking at window film you have to understand there are several types. The most common do-it-yourself and lower cost films are metal based films. They work well at reducing solar heat gain, and UV. However, since they are metal-based they usually have the "mirror"or "shine" to them. And, most won't let you see out at night due to the reflection. Plus, over time they tend to turn a purple tint.

Look at a nano-ceramic film like HuperOptik http://www.huperoptikusa.com The stuff is amazing at blocking heat and UV, plus it is almost invisible day and night. It is only installed professionally, but worth it.

[This message has been edited by GreyBoy (edited 7/21/2008 8:20a).]

Does it strengthen the window so you don't have to "board up" during storms or is it only for heat?

They actually have a "bomb proof" film. Film will help keep the glass from shattering but won't really offer any protection form breaking. You will still need to protect the glass in a storm.

Tried to make my own insulated attic stair cover today to no avail. I have a 70 year old house, and my staircase is ghetto! It's over 17" high and the thing I forgot to account for is that it has metal handles that extend about 12" further than the attic door rough opening so my box was wayyyyyyyy too short. What a pain, I guess I'll try and construct another one next weekend.

Mcinnis,

I put some window film on the inside of the window to try and block the heat. It didn't work very well. It trapped the heat at the window, but the film still let all the heat into the space. The window was very warm to the touch. If you put it on the window put it on the outside. sounds stupide but the guy told me it would work on the inside just as well. he was wrong.

chocolatelabs,

Did you use the energy film from Home Depot or a window tint.

it was a window tint.

What is the best method for insulating the garage door? How do you attach the foil?

I'll probably install the foil this winter. I worked 3 summers installing cable, security, telephone wires in new / existing houses and while I could do it in the summer will be much nicer in the winter.

How much are you guys electric bills? My last bill for June was $250. I have a 3k sqft house and keep my upstairs a/c at 80 downstairs at 77. House is 24 years old with downstairs ac 2yrs old and upstairs is original. Yes it's old but it blows very cold (always a 20degree drop). I think it would take me a long time to pay for a new one with the savings on a more efficent one.

One thing I heard was if you are trying to cool your house more than 20 degrees from the outside temp ie (outside 95 and you are trying to go colder than 75 inside) you are really throwing away your money.

I have EAS coming out for a free in-home estimate on Friday. I will report back with quotes and whatnot.

Our house is 75 yrs old so opportunity for improvement with insulation and radiant barrier are probably substantial. I do not have any ridge ventilation. House is 2400 sq. ft.

After reading this thread I may just have my Dad help me do the DIY attic foil and the insulation to save some cash but my attic might be a pain in the ass to do this. Probably will go ahead and pull the trigger on the ridge vents.

I can tell you with half off on the radiant barrier my over the phone estimate was $1400-1600 for the spray-on RB and $1700 for the insulation. I have no clue if that is good or not but I assume it's high based on what others have said about EAS.

[This message has been edited by YouBet (edited 7/30/2008 4:57p).]

I'll have to look into http://www.huperoptikusa.com

I'm curious as to how much this might cost per sqft of glass.

You Bet,

The company is called Kool-Attics.com and their number is 281-398-9688 or 713-906-3031 and ask for Mike. They do very good work and will absolutely beat the prices of just about anyone around. If you are also interested, they sell solar attic fans fans, attic tents, and solar screens. Let Mike know that his neighbor gave you his number and he might (no guarantee, promises, or anything of the sort) knock off a little of the prices. He will already be much cheaper than EAS.

I get no money from this, so I hope you don't feel like I'm trying to sell you on this. We are just a tight neighborhood.

redags,
I'm in Dallas.

I dont know if it was asked yet, but what if your home was built with techshield decking, the stuff with the foil on the underside of the OSB on the roof?

My home is built with that and has a silver galvalum metal roof. Would spray on heat barrier do any good in this case, or would it just be wasted money?

My second story is 'unfinished, meaning its not drywalled. So, in the middle of the day, its hot up there, but not unbearable.

Also, AD, is that what its SUPPOSED to look like when installed?

[This message has been edited by jed1154 (edited 8/1/2008 10:05a).]

quote:

---

I dont know if it was asked yet, but what if your home was built with techshield decking, the stuff with the foil on the underside of the OSB on the roof?

My home is built with that and has a silver galvalum metal roof. Would spray on heat barrier do any good in this case, or would it just be wasted money?

---

If you have Techshield, the spray on would be a waste of money.

eagleshield.com I heard this company offers 0% financing which allows you to use the money you save on your bills to pay for the insulation.

tekshield is an excellent radiant barrier.

no need for anything else, unless one of your walls is exposed to direct sunlight. then you could use radiance paint on this wall.

soffit vents, ridge vents, and radiant barriers(tekshield) are the way to go.

wall venting and radiant barriers on walls exposed to direct sunlight would be next.

larger soffits and overhangs on the sunlight side.

lots of insulation

First of all, I'm a dumbass. I go up in attic so little that I really hadn't taken full stock of my situation up there. I already have the foil radiant barrier installed it's just that it is falling down everywhere. Previous owners that put it up just didn't secure it very well.

So, my first step is to fix what I have. Second step is that I got quoted for new insulation and 2 turbines. I don't have soffets or ridge venting and I guess according to the EAS guy it wouldn't be possible???

Anyway, my total attic space is actually pretty small because our second story is converted attic space which accounts for most of it. For new spray insulation and two turbines my quote came out to about $800 total. Insulation was $532 and barely met the minimum they would do so my sq. footage is actually pretty low.

Anyone taken advantage of this program Oncor offers?

http://www.oncor.com/electricity/teem/consumer/res/index.aspx

UPDATE: Based on my first few calls this is a low income program only. With that said, anyone use an energy efficency company on your home...I am in Dallas.

[This message has been edited by atmhockey (edited 8/7/2008 9:56a).]

Anyone get a post-installation utility bill yet for comparison?

So, where does one find the foil barrier material?

One of just many places...

http://www.atticfoil.com/

In Houston you can find LP TechShield Foil at Olshan Lumber downtown and ABC Supply on 290/Beltway area

It runs around .25/Sq Ft if you just buy the 500 sq foot roll.

If you want it installed it will run you around 1.00/sq ft.


Here's where they stock...TechShield "Foil" is a new rollout product and it is similar to the other me too foils. The diffence, honestly, is the name brand "kleenex of RB" and it comes with a 20-year warranty (same as new construction roof decking TechShield).

I can tell you that the 21 of the Top 25 Builders in Houston make it a standard feature.

Here's an installer in Houston-

Velux-Innovative Skylights

Dan Marshall, CGR

713-466-1551

It's definetley targeted to DIYers


Some myths about TechShield:

Interferes with Cell Phones
Can cook shingles
will delaminate (knock offs will however)


Hope this helps someone