Radiant Barriers an Integral Part of Green Construction
New study shows substantial energy savings through radiant barrier roof sheathing.
Atlanta, Ga. (Vocus) June 19, 2007
Have you ever touched a south or west facing interior wall on a summer afternoon? The heat you feel is the result of radiant heat from the sun.
If a well-insulated wall conducts this amount of heat, how much of this heat enters your home through the attic and adversely affects your utility bills? The answer is "a lot," and one solution that is rapidly gaining in popularity is radiant barrier roof sheathing. Energy conservation measures in residential construction typically focus on reducing air leakage and using energy efficient products. And while these tactics are effective as part of an overall conservation strategy, they don't address the effects of radiant heat.
A recent study conducted by the Atlanta-based EarthCraft House Program found that LP® TechShield®, radiant barrier roof sheathing produced by LP Building Products, reduced peak cooling demand by almost 19 percent. LP TechShield (http://www. lpcorp. com/techshield) consists of regular oriented strand board (OSB) with a thin, durable sheet of aluminum laminated to the smooth side of the panel. The aluminum acts as the radiant barrier and prevents radiant heat from entering the attic.
"This study further validates the real world benefits of LP TechShield radiant barrier," said Rusty Carroll, OSB marketing manager. "We believe demand for this product in the Sun Belt will keep growing dramatically as more and more people learn how it can reduce both air conditioner sizing and peak cooling demand, thus saving on energy costs."
In the analysis, the EarthCraft House Program compared four Atlanta area Haven Homes properties using two different floor plans: the Raleigh (3,616 sq. ft.) and the Darlington (3,100 sq. ft.). The four homes in the program's study included two-story floor plans, low-e windows and R-30 insulated ceilings. In addition, the duct systems and building envelopes of the homes were also well-sealed. Each home also had two HVAC systems, one in the attic and one in the basement or conditioned area. Two of the four homes featured LP TechShield panels while the other pair did not.
According to David Wasserman, the senior research engineer who conducted the analysis, LP TechShield radiant barriers dramatically reduced the peak cooling demand by 14.7 percent and 18.8 percent in the Darlington and Raleigh model homes, respectively. The reduction in peak cooling allows Haven Homes to reduce the size of HVAC units anywhere from 10 to 15 percent depending on the application.
Carroll said more and more builders are recognizing the long-term benefits of LP TechShield in terms of reduced HVAC unit sizes and in delivering a value-added benefit that will pay dividends to homeowners for years to come.
"Anyone who is building a home in the Sun Belt needs to be aware of the advantages of installing radiant barrier roof sheathing such as LP TechShield," Carroll said. "They will save substantial dollars on energy costs over the years."
For more information, go to www. lpcorp. com/techshield (http://www. lpcorp. com/techshield).
LP, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., is a premier supplier of building products, manufacturing innovative, high-quality commodity and specialty products to its retail, wholesale, homebuilding and industrial customers. LP is a registered trademark of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Visit LP's Web site at www. lpcorp. com for additional information on the company.
Haven Properties is a 100 percent Premier EarthCraft House builder and 2006 Energy Star Partner of the Year based in Atlanta.
About EarthCraft House Program
EarthCraft House is a program the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association developed through a partnership with Southface Energy Institute, government and industry leaders. EarthCraft House is a voluntary green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. For more information, visit EarthCraft House at www. earthcrafthouse. org.
About Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association
Founded in 1945 by a group of builders looking for an organization to serve their interests and needs within the homebuilding industry, the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) is a not-for-profit professional trade association dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving the homebuilding industry as a viable economic force in the Atlanta area. The HBA is one of more than 800 local homebuilder associations throughout the U. S. and is affiliated with the Home Builders Association of Georgia and the National Association of Home Builders. With approximately 3,800 members, the HBA is the second largest local homebuilders association in the U. S. and represents the most active residential building market in the country for the last 14 consecutive years. For more information, visit Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association at www. atlantahomebuilders. com
About Southface
Since 1978, Southface has encouraged responsible solutions for environmental living. Driven by the Southeast's growing need to save energy and water and preserve our natural resources, Southface has successfully fostered unique partnerships with public, private and nonprofit organizations. Southface programs and publications reach design and construction professionals, homeowners, government officials and others to promote sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. For more information, visit Southface at www. southface. org.
Contact:
Ken Smith, APR
(336) 812-2018
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