ROOM- Kon Tiki

Radiant barriers are increasingly used by homebuilders to help boost their homes’ HERS® Index Scores. The RESNET® 2023 Statistical Abstract, ”Trends in HERS® Rated Homes", reports that in 2022, 32 percent of all HERS® rated homes had a radiant barrier. This is up from 29 percent in 2021.  

 

Just how accurate is HERS® rating software in calculating the performance of radiant barriers? To answer this question, the University of Tennessee’s Mechanical Aerospace and Biomedical department conducted a detailed analysis. The analysis included a detailed energy assessment of radiant barrier performance in buildings and sensitivity of thermal emittance on roof and attic. The study resulted in the development of a simplified algorithm for calculating heat flow crossing attic floor. This development could be an important tool for HERS® rating software developers to improve their software analysis.