Greener Tomorrow Now is a distributor of the high quality energy efficient radiant barrier products.

Radiant barriers are installed in homes—most commonly in attics—to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, which helps lower heating and cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. They don't, however, reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.

How Radiant Barriers Work

Heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by conduction from a hotter material to a colder material when the two materials touch. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid or gas is heated, becomes less dense, and rises. Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from the hot surface and heats anything solid as the wave of energy hits it.

When the sun heats a roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot. A large portion of this heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy into the cooler attic (some of the roof's heat will radiate in other directions too). A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the roof to the attic space.

Fiberglass reinforced (perforated) aluminum foil insulation is (1) Fire retardant, (2) Reflects 95% of radiation heat and (3) Eliminates sweating. The typical use is in the attic, roof and walls. It is easily stapled into place in attic on ceiling joists or rafters and must be sealed with aluminum foil tape.

Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates than in cool climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can lower cooling costs between 5%–10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system.

Check Out this Compelling Radiant Barrier Demonstration!

The hot box above is a representation of an attic with Greener Tomorrow Now Radiant Barrier installed. The hot box shows the temperature difference between a homes attic with and without radiant barrier, using infra-red heat lamps*.

Left Side: The left side shows a laid down radiant barrier with unfaced R-19 fiberglass insulation. The thermometer reads 93.2 degrees F.

Right Side: The right side shows unfaced R-19 fiberglass insulation only. Its thermometer reads 152.5 degrees F.

There is a difference of 59.3 degrees F between the two sides. This difference is due to the Radiant Barrier's ability to reflect radiant heat away from the insulation!*

The numbers above were arrived at after a six hour period with an ambient air temperature average of 84 degrees.

NOTE: Both sides reached their steady state after only one half hour.

Radiant Barrier Tax Credit

You can receive tax credit for installing radiant barrier according to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements which expired in 2007. Federal tax credits will be given for qualifying improvements made during 2009 and 2010.

• Residential customers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. See EnergyStar.gov's Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency for a complete summary of energy efficiency tax credits available to consumers.

How Much Does Greener Tomorrow Now Radiant Barrier Cost?

Each roll of radiant barrier material is 4' x 125' or 500 sq. ft. and a 4" x 165' roll of foil tape. The price is $100 per roll, including $13 per roll of shipping and handling. This price includes 1 roll of radiant barrier material, 1 roll of foil tape and shipping/handling.

Typical residential roll requirements are show below: