Publication Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
Conference Name
Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XI International Conference
Conference Location
Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States of America
Conference Sponsor
ASHRAE
Conference Date
-
Abstract
Quantifying the benefits of radiant barriers is complex because the benefits depend upon the climate, attic geometry, duct arrangements, and other building parameters. Homeowners, however, require simplified guidance regarding building envelope options, even those options that seem to have no simple answers. An extensive parametric evaluation of radiant barrier installation alternatives was made using a newly expanded and benchmarked version of an attic simulation program. To complement this anal- ysis, a detailed numerical analysis of radiation heat transfer within the attic and within the small space bounded by the rafters and the sheathing was completed. The results provide guidance for homeowners and builders.
