Radiant Barrier



Radiant Barrier in the attic

 So last weekend, I teamed up with one my friends and installed a radiant barrier in both our attics.  It was a fairly easy project.  His attic has gables and a single gable mounted attic fan (no soffits), so we put the radiant barrier directly over the insulation.  In my attic (has soffits and attic fan), I had a contractor install  ridge vent and then I stapled the radiant barrier to the joists except for the small attic space over my bonus room, where I installed the radiant barrier over the insulation.
 
Like I said...it was an easy project.  Luckily, it was cool outside so we didn't kill ourselves, although I did sweat up a storm.  Above the attic duct work (which is high) we "tented" over it to keep the heat away.  I used atticfoil.com for the radiant barrier.  It was a good product and i have no complaints.



Looking at the top of the attic.  You can see my high duct work and the "tent" over the top

 I can't say for sure how well it is doing, although today when I came home after a hot day (sunny and a high of 91F),  I noticed for the first time since I can remember, the attic fans  were not on when I walked upstairs and the temperature was 82F (thermostat set at 84F).  Nearly all summer when I came home the upstairs temp was 84F and the HVAC was cycling.    We'll see after August and September.