TABLE 1

Costs for Radiant Barriers Installed by Contractors

Costs per Square Foot of Material*
Type of Application New Construction Existing Home
Attic Floor $0.15 - 0.30 $0.15 - 0.30
Roof: stapled to bottom or faces of rafters $0.15 - 0.30 $0.20 - 0.45
Roof: draped over rafters $0.12 - 0.35 ----
Roof: underside of roof deck $0.12 - 0.30 ----

*The cost figures in this table are the costs per square foot of radiant barrier. Since the total area of the roof and gables is larger than the area of the ceiling, roof applications will require about 7 to 50 percent more material than an attic floor application, depending upon the shape of the roof.

Source: Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association.


TABLE 2

Costs for Conventional Attic Insulation Installed by Contractors

R-Value Cost per Square Foot
R-11 $0.27 - 0.30
R-19 $0.38 - 0.47
R-22 $0.48 - 0.51
R-30 $0.54 - 0.68
R-38 $0.68 - 0.95

Note: The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

Source: Residential Construction and Utility Cost data base, developed by NAHB National Research Center, 1986.


TABLE 3

Present Value Savings for Dusty Radiant Barrier on Attic Floor

(Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing level of conventional insulation.)

City Present Value Savings, Dollars per Square Foot of Attic Floor
R-11 R-19 R-30 R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
0.04-0.13
0.05-0.18
0.05-0.17
0.05-0.14
0.04-0.13
0.05-0.15
0.04-0.15
0.05-0.19
0.05-0.17
0.07-0.24
0.03-0.08
0.05-0.18
0.06-0.23
0.04-0.13
0.05-0.21
0.08-0.29
0.04-0.10
0.04-0.11
0.05-0.16
0.06-0.21
0.05-0.18
0.05-0.16
0.05-0.16
0.03-0.08
0.05-0.17
0.06-0.21
0.05-0.15
0.02-0.06
0.03-0.10
0.02-0.08
0.02-0.06
0.02-0.06
0.02-0.07
0.02-0.07
0.03-0.10
0.02-0.08
0.03-0.12
0.02-0.05
0.02-0.09
0.03-0.12
0.02-0.06
0.03-0.10
0.04-0.14
0.02-0.04
0.02-0.05
0.02-0.08
0.03-0.10
0.03-0.09
0.02-0.08
0.02-0.08
0.01-0.03
0.02-0.09
0.03-0.10
0.02-0.07
0.01-0.03
0.02-0.06
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.02-0.06
0.02-0.05
0.02-0.07
0.01-0.03
0.01-0.05
0.02-0.07
0.01-0.03
0.02-0.07
0.02-0.08
0.01-0.02
0.01-0.03
0.01-0.05
0.02-0.06
0.02-0.06
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.02
0.02-0.05
0.02-0.06
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.03
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.03
0.01-0.03
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.04
0.02-0.06
0.01-0.02
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.06
0.01-0.03
0.01-0.05
0.02-0.07
0.01-0.02
0.01-0.02
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.04
0.00-0.01
0.01-0.04
0.01-0.05
0.01-0.04

Note: Values represent range of savings due to variations in rate of dusting and to uncertainties in effect of dust on heat flows. This level of degradation would be typical over 25 years of exposure.

Figures in table are based on a radiant barrier that had an emissivity of 0.05 or less when clean. Savings are for a 25 year period.


TABLE 4

Present Value Savings for Radiant Barrier Attached to Bottoms of Rafters


(Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing level of conventional insulation.)
City Present Value Savings, Dollars per Square Foot of Attic Floor
R-11 R-19 R-30 R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
0.17-0.19
0.24-0.27
0.21-0.25
0.18-0.20
0.17-0.19
0.19-0.22
0.19-0.22
0.23-0.28
0.22-0.25
0.30-0.36
0.11-0.12
0.23-0.27
0.28-0.36
0.18-0.19
0.26-0.32
0.36-0.43
0.14-0.15
0.14-0.16
0.20-0.24
0.27-0.37
0.23-0.26
0.21-0.24
0.21-0.24
0.11-0.12
0.22-0.26
0.26-0.31
0.20-0.23
0.08-0.09
0.12-0.15
0.10-0.13
0.09-0.10
0.08-0.10
0.10-0.12
0.10-0.12
0.12-0.15
0.11-0.13
0.15-0.19
0.06-0.07
0.11-0.14
0.15-0.20
0.08-0.10
0.13-0.17
0.17-0.23
0.06-0.06
0.07-0.08
0.10-0.12
0.13-0.17
0.12-0.14
0.10-0.12
0.10-0.13
0.05-0.05
0.11-0.13
0.13-0.17
0.09-0.12
0.04-0.05
0.08-0.10
0.06-0.08
0.05-0.06
0.05-0.06
0.06-0.08
0.06-0.08
0.07-0.10
0.07-0.09
0.09-0.12
0.04-0.05
0.07-0.09
0.09-0.13
0.05-0.06
0.08-0.12
0.10-0.14
0.03-0.04
0.04-0.05
0.06-0.08
0.07-0.10
0.07-0.10
0.06-0.08
0.06-0.08
0.03-0.03
0.07-0.09
0.08-0.11
0.06-0.07
0.03-0.04
0.06-0.08
0.05-0.07
0.04-0.05
0.04-0.05
0.05-0.07
0.05-0.07
0.05-0.08
0.05-0.07
0.07-0.10
0.03-0.04
0.06-0.08
0.07-0.10
0.03-0.04
0.07-0.10
0.08-0.12
0.03-0.03
0.03-0.04
0.05-0.07
0.06-0.08
0.06-0.08
0.05-0.07
0.05-0.07
0.02-0.02
0.05-0.07
0.06-0.09
0.05-0.06

Note: First value applies to houses with no air-conditioning ducts in attics. Second value appliesto houses with air-conditioning ducts in attics.

Figures in table are based on a radiant barrier with an emissivity of 0.05 or less, with the radiant barrier covering the insides of the gables. Savings are for a 25 year period.


TABLE 5

Present Value Savings for Radiant Barrier Draped over Tops of Rafters or Attached to Roof Deck
(Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing level of conventional insulation.)

City Present Value Savings, Dollars per Square Foot of Attic Floor
R-11 R-19 R-30 R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
0.16-0.17
0.21-0.24
0.19-0.22
0.17-0.18
0.15-0.17
0.17-0.19
0.17-0.20
0.20-0.25
0.19-0.22
0.27-0.32
0.10-0.11
0.20-0.24
0.25-0.31
0.16-0.18
0.23-0.28
0.31-0.38
0.13-0.13
0.13-0.14
0.18-0.21
0.24-0.33
0.20-0.23
0.19-0.21
0.18-0.21
0.10-0.11
0.20-0.23
0.23-0.28
0.18-0.21
0.07-0.08
0.11-0.14
0.09-0.12
0.08-0.09
0.07-0.09
0.09-0.10
0.09-0.10
0.10-0.14
0.10-0.12
0.14-0.17
0.06-0.06
0.10-0.13
0.13-0.18
0.07-0.09
0.11-0.15
0.15-0.20
0.06-0.06
0.06-0.07
0.09-0.11
0.11-0.15
0.10-0.13
0.09-0.11
0.09-0.11
0.04-0.05
0.10-0.12
0.11-0.15
0.08-0.10
0.04-0.05
0.07-0.09
0.06-0.07
0.05-0.06
0.04-0.05
0.05-0.07
0.05-0.07
0.06-0.09
0.06-0.08
0.08-0.11
0.03-0.04
0.06-0.08
0.08-0.11
0.04-0.05
0.07-0.10
0.09-0.13
0.03-0.03
0.04-0.04
0.06-0.07
0.07-0.09
0.06-0.08
0.05-0.07
0.05-0.07
0.02-0.03
0.06-0.08
0.07-0.09
0.05-0.06
0.03-0.04
0.06-0.07
0.04-0.06
0.03-0.04
0.03-0.04
0.05-0.06
0.05-0.06
0.05-0.07
0.05-0.07
0.06-0.09
0.03-0.04
0.05-0.07
0.06-0.09
0.03-0.04
0.06-0.09
0.07-0.11
0.02-0.03
0.03-0.04
0.04-0.06
0.05-0.07
0.06-0.07
0.04-0.06
0.04-0.06
0.02-0.02
0.05-0.06
0.05-0.08
0.04-0.05

Note: First value applies to houses with no air-conditioning ducts in attics. Second value applies to houses with air-conditioning ducts in attics.

Figures in table are based on a radiant barrier with an emissivity of 0.05 or less, with the radiant barrier covering the insides of the gables. Savings are for a 25 year period.


TABLE 6

Present Value Savings for Additional Insulation

City Present Value Savings, Dollars per Square Foot of Attic Floor
R-11 + R-8* R-11 + R-19 R-19 + R-11 R-19 + R-19
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
0.76
0.53
0.50
0.90
0.69
0.64
0.33
0.31
0.53
0.47
0.22
0.52
0.22
0.80
0.25
0.53
0.73
0.50
0.50
0.49
0.44
0.65
0.63
0.52
0.61
0.41
0.60
1.10
0.80
0.71
1.35
1.02
0.96
0.48
0.49
0.78
0.70
0.33
0.74
0.34
1.21
0.37
0.77
1.09
0.77
0.72
0.70
0.65
0.97
0.92
0.80
0.92
0.62
0.88
0.35
0.28
0.21
0.45
0.33
0.32
0.15
0.18
0.24
0.23
0.11
0.22
0.11
0.42
0.12
0.24
0.37
0.27
0.22
0.21
0.22
0.32
0.29
0.28
0.31
0.21
0.28
0.48
0.37
0.29
0.61
0.45
0.44
0.20
0.24
0.34
0.32
0.15
0.31
0.15
0.57
0.17
0.33
0.50
0.36
0.31
0.29
0.29
0.44
0.40
0.37
0.42
0.28
0.38

*Denotes existing level of conventional attic insulation (for example, R-11), and additional amount (for example, R-8). Savings are for a 25 year period.


TABLE A1

Average Reductions In Ceiling Heat Flow Due To Addition of Radiant Barrier to R-19 Attic Floor Insulation

SUMMER COOLING CONDITIONS

Radiant Barrier Location Whole House Tests Test Cell Tests
MIMA ORNL FSEC* TVA
Roof: attached to roof deck ---- ---- 36 - 42% 16%
Roof: draped over rafters 20%** ---- ---- ----
Roof: stapled between rafters ---- ---- 38 - 43% ----
Roof: stapled under rafters 24% 25 - 30% ---- 23 - 30%
Attic Floor*** 35% 32 - 35% 38 - 44% 40 -42%

*Tested at attic air space ventilation rate of five air changes per hour. Typical average ventilation rates are somewhat lower.

**Test was a simulation of draped configuration. The radiant barrier did not extend over the rafters, but was stapled near the joints between the rafters and the roof deck.

***Values are for new and undusted radiant barrier installations; percentages will be lower for aged radiant barriers.

TABLE A2

Average Reductions in Ceiling Heat Flow Due to Addition of Radiant Barrier to R-19 Insulation

WINTER HEATING CONDITIONS

Radiant Barrier Location Whole House Tests (ORNL) Test Cell Tests (TVA)
Roof: attached to roof deck ---- 4%
Roof: draped over rafters ---- ----
Roof: stapled between rafters ---- ----
Roof: stapled under rafters 5% to 8% 8%
Attic Floor 1% to 19% 15%

Notes for Tables A1 and A2:

Caution: These % values do not represent utility bill savings and cannot be represented as such.

NOTE: All measurements represent average heat flows through the insulation path, and do not include effects of heat flow through framing.

Key to Abbreviations:
FSEC: Florida Solar Energy Center
ORNL: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
MIMA: Mineral Insulation Manufacturers Association
TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority


TABLE X

Equipment Efficiencies

Low Medium High Very High
Gas Furnace (AFUE) 0.50 0.65 0.80 0.90
Oil Furnace (AFUE) 0.50 0.65 0.80 0.90
Heat Pump (COP)
Heating/Cooling
1.6/2.1 1.9/2.6 2.2/3.1 2.5/3.4
Air Conditioner (COP) 1.8 2.3 2.9 3.5
Electric Furnace 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Electric Baseboard Heating 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

TABLE Y1

Cooling Load Factors for Radiant Barriers
(Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing level of conventional insulation.)

City R-11 R-19 R-30 R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
876
1598
1673
706
960
1020
1232
2162
1597
2535
429
1832
3090
769
2575
3308
297
551
1440
1999
1592
1286
1466
223
1523
2371
1221
409
851
832
388
475
550
636
1120
823
1210
256
907
1631
418
1299
1595
120
299
738
931
849
651
757
119
790
1175
622
259
522
516
245
284
357
405
672
517
703
168
555
938
257
832
942
82
178
460
556
542
409
479
80
512
713
386
211
426
405
191
229
294
351
521
411
539
148
440
727
204
662
738
62
147
359
448
445
332
369
65
397
552
301

Figures in table are based on a radiant barrier with an emissivity of 0.05 or less when clean.

TABLE Y2

Heating Load Factors for Radiant Barriers
(Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing level of conventional insulation.)

City R-11 R-19 R-30 R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
929
931
605
1192
842
989
792
387
725
774
738
630
99
1062
275
606
1112
937
741
892
821
906
738
904
868
477
912
400
476
282
513
377
473
378
182
337
438
390
304
47
447
130
321
490
427
342
422
397
415
324
364
379
225
386
193
299
163
293
210
277
242
108
206
277
227
180
28
223
77
191
253
238
219
248
236
223
169
197
219
138
212
140
238
137
206
144
236
197
80
164
227
188
164
26
154
62
162
194
186
162
189
192
187
136
133
176
119
182

Figures in table are based on a radiant barrier with an emissivity of 0.05 or less when clean.


TABLE Y3

Cooling Load Factors for Additional Insulation (Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing and addition levels of conventional insulation.)

City R-11 to R-19 R-19 to R-30 R-30 to R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
1171
1100
1649
695
1061
715
854
1310
1476
1960
214
1797
1694
471
1435
3175
392
368
1375
1983
1145
966
1482
169
991
1606
1210
258
689
508
226
293
344
384
945
527
997
122
584
883
259
691
1334
66
316
434
713
582
462
444
73
465
819
392
87
189
184
84
99
117
123
247
193
369
25
219
315
90
284
488
27
60
153
241
194
159
186
23
193
317
138

TABLE Y4

Heating Load Factors for Additional Insulation(Note: R-11, R-19, R-30, and R-38 refer to the existing and addition levels of conventional insulation.)

City R-11 to R-19 R-19 to R-30 R-30 to R-38
Albany, NY
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Bismarck, ND
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
El Toro, CA
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
St. Louis, MO
Seattle, WA
Topeka, KS
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
5358
3460
2660
7072
4923
4765
1977
1358
3145
2114
1706
2711
254
6399
712
1444
5870
3980
2977
2302
2651
4623
4010
4328
4297
1966
3999
2751
1697
1332
3610
2569
2450
923
632
1584
1042
814
1359
121
3323
390
744
3096
1992
1489
1121
1294
2321
2038
2295
2199
968
2014
1030
626
497
1369
952
872
336
242
599
375
295
489
38
1239
125
318
1137
738
606
406
467
858
759
831
802
353
731

TABLE Z

Discount Factors Adjusted for Average Fuel Price Escalation (Based on 7 percent discount rate and 25 year life.)

Census Region Electricity Fuel Oil Natural Gas
1
2
3
4

U. S. Average

11.68
11.37
11.50
12.12

11.56

15.33
15.56
15.33
15.58

15.41

13.85
14.42
14.36
4.46

14.33

Region 1: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Region 2: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas

Region 3: Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

Region 4: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii

Source: "Energy Prices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis 1988," NISTIR 85-3273-3, U. S. Department of Commerce, November 1988.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy